Neto is undergoing a medical at Arsenal this morning (Friday) but the goalkeeper's arrival may not be the end of Mikel Arteta's summer recruitment drive. Reports indicate that the Gunners are in the mix for two other deals ahead of the 11pm deadline.
Arsenal are set to sign Neto on a season-long loan from AFC Bournemouth after scouring the market for a new back-up to David Raya. Arteta's current No.2, Aaron Ramsdale, is heading to Southampton in a £25million deal.
While Cherries captain and former Barcelona FC stopper Neto will bring pedigree and experience to Arteta's ranks, ESPN claim that the north Londoners are open to signing another goalkeeper before the window slams shut following third-choice Karl Hein's switch to Real Valladolid on loan.
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Espanyol's Joan Garcia and Wigan Athletic's Sam Tickle are viewed as the main contenders. Garcia is believed to be Arsenal's top target to bolster their options between the sticks, but the La Liga side are demanding nothing less than his £25m release clause.
Extensive talks have taken place between the Gunners and Espanyol, though the deal may only happen if a compromise can be reached. Tickle, meanwhile, is Wigan's first-choice goalkeeper at only 22 years old, and he was ever-present in League One last season.
Even if Arsenal welcome Neto and another stopper, there could still be room for more deadline-day drama involving Raheem Sterling.
Arteta knows the winger well from their time working together at Manchester City. And Sterling needs the former Sky Blues assistant now more than ever, having been exiled from the Chelsea first-team by manager Enzo Maresca.
Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Sterling, according to multiple reports. But it is said they will only push forward with a move for the 29-year-old if there is no transfer fee involved.
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Chelsea forked out £50m to sign Sterling from City only two years ago, and the wide man has scored 19 goals in 81 games. But the Blues have little in the way of transfer market leverage after Maresca publicly admitted that Sterling is not in his plans.
Sterling's camp still needs to find a settlement agreement with Chelsea on the final three years of his lucrative contract, with the former England international owed millions in wages. He would reportedly be willing to take a significant pay cut in order to join Arsenal and compete with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard for minutes.
