Arsenal have reportedly reached an agreement to sign AFC Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto.
The Gunners have splashed the cash so far this summer, acquiring the services of Riccardo Calafiori, David Raya and Mikel Merino, and further signings are not being ruled out on deadline day.
With Aaron Ramsdale set to leave the club to join Southampton, Arsenal have found themselves in the market for a new goalkeeper to play second fiddle to Raya.
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The Gunners were keen to sign Joan Garcia from Espanyol and personal terms were agreed with the Spaniard. However, when their £16.8million offer was rejected for the 23-year-old, Arsenal decided to turn their attention to alternative options.
According to The Athletic, the Gunners have now agreed a deal to sign Neto from Bournemouth on a season-long loan. There is no obligation to purchase the 35-year-old next summer, or even an option to do so.
The Brazilian is set to undergo his medical with Arsenal today.
Neto was previously Bournemouth’s first-choice goalkeeper and made 32 appearances for the club. But the arrival of Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan from Chelsea at the Vitality Stadium is likely to have seen him become second-choice this keeper.
The Gunners are pushing to welcome Neto to their ranks sooner rather than later to ensure that Ramsdale’s move to Southampton does not impact their squad. The England international is set to join the Saints in a deal worth £25m and has already undergone his medical at St Mary’s.
If Neto’s proposed move does not go according to plan then Arsenal are expected to turn their attention to a low-cost, homegrown option. Wolves star Dan Bentley was approached previously and that interest could be reignited, with Wigan Athletic’s Sam Tickle also a consideration.
It remains to be seen whether Neto is Arsenal’s only signing on deadline day or whether Mikel Arteta is granted his transfer wish of another forward. The Spaniard is keen to sign an alternative option out wide to provide cover for Bukayo Saka.
Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman is reportedly a consideration at the Emirates Stadium after it became clear that he wanted to leave the Bavarian outfit this week. The France international has suitors in the Saudi Pro League who could trump any offer that Arsenal make financially for the ex-Juventus star, though the prospect of Premier League football is likely to prove enticing if a concrete approach is made.
