Just when we thought that the transfer deadline day wasn’t going to come with its surprises, there has been a goalkeeping merry-go-round in the Premier League that has seen Neto travel to London to undergo his medicals ahead of a move to Arsenal.
Neto, who is currently the captain of Bournemouth, had his minutes threatened last season by Mark Travers after his performances left a lot to be desired. Bournemouth reacted this summer by signing the world’s most expensive goalkeeping signing, Kepa Arrizabalaga, from Chelsea, as well as taking Georghe Mamadashvili on loan from Liverpool, which essentially meant that Neto had dropped from first choice to third choice in a flash.
With Arsenal sanctioning the move for Aaron Ramsdale to depart on a permanent sale to Southampton, Edu Gaspar and his negotiation chums had moved their attentions to Espanyol’s Joan Garcia, placing a bid of a €20 million bid for the young goalie, but the Catalans want Arsenal to meet the player’s release clause, which is reported to be €30 million. With the transfer window ending in a couple of hours, Arsenal didn’t have the luxury of engaging in a back and forth bidding war with Espanyol, with Ramsdale leaving, hence the move for Neto.
He’s an experienced player that will be a very decent backup for David Raya. There is no purchase commitment or obligation on the loan move, so Arsenal will have time to analyze their decision on Garcia who would have an entire season of La Liga football under his belt.
Neto’s move feels a lot like Jorginho’s a while ago, and it will be nice to see what he will bring to the table at Arsenal this season.
Sayonara.
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