Arsenal are considering a move for Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto as their pursuit of Espanyol’s Joan Garcia has hit a roadblock, according to The Athletic.
The Gunners had identified Garcia as a target to provide competition for current first-choice David Raya following the departure of Aaron Ramsdale.
Arsenal agreed a deal for Ramsdale to join Southampton in a £25 million transfer, and the 26-year-old underwent his medical earlier today.
Ramsdale’s exit has left Arsenal needing a new goalkeeper to bolster their squad ahead of the transfer deadline.
However, negotiations with Espanyol over Garcia have stalled. The Spanish club refuses to budge on his €30 million release clause.
The 23-year-old has been impressive in La Liga this term and has shown he has a bright future, and Espanyol will not be doing suitors any favour.
Arsenal do not want to pay the release clause. The North Londoners are now exploring alternative options, and one of them is Neto, who could join Arsenal on a loan deal.
The 35-year-old former Barcelona and Juventus goalkeeper was Bournemouth’s first-choice shot-stopper last season, making 32 appearances and recording seven clean sheets. He was also named captain by former head coach Gary O’Neil in February 2023.
However, his position at Bournemouth is now under threat following the arrival of Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea on a season-long loan. The Spaniard is expected to challenge for the starting spot, and Neto’s future at Bournemouth has become uncertain.
Neto joined Bournemouth from Barcelona in 2022 and established himself as the first-choice between the sticks, replacing Mark Travers.
Meanwhile, Travers has been linked with a potential move to Crystal Palace and Burnley over the summer.
Arsenal are determined to sign at least one goalkeeper before the summer transfer window closes.
Besides Neto, they are eyeing homegrown options such as Wigan Athletic’s Sam Tickle and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Dan Bentley.
