Report: Wolves could sign forward Lionel Messi called a 'fantastic player' to replace £54m Pedro Neto

Wolves have just over two weeks to replace Pedro Neto and ensure Gary O’Neil has an attack ready to tackle the 2024/25 campaign.

The Portugal international has just sealed a £54m move to Chelsea in a shock turn of events, leaving Wolves with a much weaker frontline ahead of Saturday’s Premier League opener against Arsenal.

Now – however – a player Lionel Messi adores could join Wolves as a replacement for Pedro Neto…

Wolves want Ansu Fati

A story from SPORT now states that Wolves are interested in signing Ansu Fati.

The Barcelona No.10 is available on loan once again after spending the 2023/24 campaign at Brighton, where he scored just two goals in 19 Premier League appearances.

SPORT believe Sevilla, Benfica and Marseille are also keen to sign Fati – who Messi once called a “fantastic player” – this summer, with Barcelona desperate to remove the Spain international’s salary from the wage bill in order to register new signings.

The Spanish news outlet believe Barcelona will prioritise sending the 21-year-old to whoever offers to cover most of his staggering £198,000-a-week wages, which puts Wolves in an advantageous position given the financial superiority of clubs in the Premier League, compared to other European leagues.

Fati – who Tottenham were offered the chance to sign in 2023 – primarily operates in a central role, but he can also play on the left of attack.

Gary O’Neil must do his homework on the Spain international

On his day, Fati is a superb forward who boasts immense talent – you don’t inherit Messi’s iconic No.10 shirt at Barcelona without having something special.

However, the Bissau-born forward’s struggles in England last season were telling as he failed to adapt to the physical demands of the Premier League, while he also missed nine games in a row with calf problems.

If Wolves are to pay a large chunk of Fati’s £198,000-a-week salary, O’Neil needs him to be fit and firing on a weekly basis, or else that money can certainly be better spent elsewhere on a more proven talent in English football.

READ MORE: Wolves set to have bid accepted for target as Gary O’Neil begins to spend £54m Pedro Neto fee

Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as Wolves still need to fend off competition from Sevilla, Benfica and Marseille to sign the Barcelona academy graduate regardless.