NBA star begs for Chelsea to be given transfer ban after Pedro Neto signing

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Pedro Neto for £54 million - but it appears that the prospect of the transfer has not gone down well with the NBA's Josh Hart. As the Blues look set to make their 10th addition of the summer, the New York Knicks called for the club to receive a transfer "ban".

The free-spending West London giants' latest purchase means that their owners have parted with £241 million during this transfer window alone. Alongside the agreement to sign Portugal star Neto, Palmeiras wonderkid Estevao Willian has joined for £29 million, alongside the likes of Leicester City's Kieran Dewsbury-Hall for £30 million and Atletico Madrid's Samu Omodorion for £34.5 million.

Having scored three times and notched 11 assists at Wolves last term, he has been subject to interest from a host of leading clubs this summer. Amid purported interest in Neto from Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle, Chelsea have won the race for his signature as they prepare to extend their squad size to a staggering 46 first-team players.

Subject to a medical, the ten-time international winger will be tasked with fighting it out with Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling for a starting berth under new Blues boss Enzo Maresca. However, it appears that basketball star Hart is struggling to see the wisdom of Todd Boehly and his partners sanctioning another signing.

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The 29-year-old ace took to Twitter/X to seemingly admit his disapproval as the Chelsea squad swelled even further. Quoting a post from Fabrizio Romano, the NBA household name did not give his exact reasons for his remarks but asserted: "Give us a transfer ban please."

The comment drew a host of contrasting responses from Hart's 653k followers, with one fan observing: " Neto's a good signing Compared to the other signings, while a second also replied saying: "Yeah obviously a good player but is RW not his favorite position? Chelsea seem stacked in that position. Just asking, not sure which of the wings he prefers.

Meanwhile, a third supporter revealed their stance saying: "At this rate Chelsea will end up signing NBA players cause they bought every footballer available, with a fourth also positing: "Josh??? This is literally like our first GOOD signing this window…what are you on about?"

As the deal for Neto looks to be heading towards its conclusion, it remains to be seen whether Chelsea academy graduate Conor Gallagher will remain at Stamford Bridge beyond the summer. The England midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to La Liga giants Atletico Madrid and has been allowed to travel to Spain for a medical, as per Sky Sports.

It has widely been reported that a deal has been struck between the Blues and Atleti for the 24-year-old's services - to the tune of £34m. The player had been subject to interest from cross-city rivals Tottenham, alongside Aston Villa - with Unai Emery's side having even had a bid accepted.

Gallagher has made 95 appearances for his boyhood club, having joined at the age of just eight. After a succession of loan moves including a breakthrough spell with Crystal Palace, he has established himself as a regular fixture in the team - making 50 appearances last term, scoring seven times.