Arsenal have reportedly reached an agreement with AFC Bournemouth to sign their goalkeeper Neto on a season-long loan as a replacement for Aaron Ramsdale.
The Gunners were keen to recruit a new No.2 as back-up for their main ‘keeper David Raya after agreeing a £25m deal to sell Ramsdale to Southampton.
Espanyol ‘keeper Joan Garcia was the preferred option for the north Londoners – but the Cherries’ Brazilian star Neto proved to be a much quicker fix – after Arsenal ‘hit an impasse’ in negotiations for their top target.
The deal for Neto is a straight loan with no option or obligation to buy the 35-year-old Brazilian, The Athletic have reported.
Bournemouth recently signed Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan from Chelsea and currently have three ‘keepers, which is why they are letting Neto depart on loan.
Kepa will replace Neto as Bournemouth’s new No.1 choice and already have Irishman Mark Travers in their ranks as a suitable No.2.
Bournemouth signed Neto from Barcelona in 2022 but the ‘keeper, who has one international cap for Brazil, is now set to swap the south coast for north London.
The loan move to Arsenal has moved at a quick pace, with the Gunners now set to sign the paperwork to allow Ramsdale to leave to join Southampton.
Who else could Arsenal sign before the summer transfer window closes at 11pm on Friday?
Analysis from Metro.co.uk Assistant Sports Editor Louis Sealey…
Largely content with a squad that has secured back-to-back second-place finishes in the Premier League and emerged as Manchester City’s biggest rivals for the title, Arsenal made a subdued start to the summer window.
They brought in Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori after his brief but impressive spell at Euro 2024 and turned David Raya’s loan stint from Brentford into a permanent deal.
Midfielder Mikel Merino became Arsenal’s third summer signing earlier this week, joining from Real Sociedad in a deal that could reach £32m.
The only gaps in Arsenal’s squad appear to in the final third, with doubts persisting over Kai Havertz’s ability to lead the line for a title-winning side and Bukayo Saka in need of support on the right flank.
That is the position Arsenal could yet look to strengthen before the deadline, though signing a new winger would be dependent on sales.
If Arsenal do decide to sign a new striker – as has been suggested by several pundits – Toney is a player who has been touted as a possible target.
Speaking after Arsenal’s opening Premier League win over Wolves, Mikel Arteta suggested the club would not be signing a new frontman this summer, though the Spaniard’s stance appeared to change after Gabriel Jesus’ recent injury setback.
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