Arsenal are exploring a move for Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto after hitting an impasse in talks over Espanyol’s Joan Garcia.
Garcia, 23, had been identified by Arsenal as a goalkeeper to provide competition to No 1 David Raya with any move facilitated by Aaron Ramsdale’s departure from the Emirates Stadium this summer. A deal has been agreed for Ramsdale to Southampton for a fee of £25million and he underwent his medical today.
However, Espanyol are not moving from Garcia’s €30million release clause and the move has stalled.
Neto had been Bournemouth’s first-choice goalkeeper and was named as the club’s captain by former head coach Gary O’Neil in February 2023. He made 32 appearances last season, keeping seven clean sheets.
However, he now faces competition from Kepa Arrizabalaga, after Bournemouth completed the signing of the 29-year-old on a season-long loan from Chelsea on Wednesday.
Neto, 35, joined Bournemouth from Barcelona in 2022 and replaced Mark Travers as the club’s No 1. The Athletic reported on Wednesday Crystal Palace were weighing up a move for Travers.
Arsenal hope to sign at least one goalkeeper before the summer transfer window closes on Friday. In addition to an experienced replacement for Ramsdale, they have been seeking a goalkeeper with homegrown status to join the first team squad. Wigan Athletic’s Sam Tickle and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Dan Bentley have been under consideration.
(Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
