Arsenal are preparing themselves for a very busy summer in the bid to prepare a team that will be fighting for a top-4 spot. Many players are already rumored to depart at the end of the season, and one such player included in that list is Bernd Leno. If he is to depart, Arsenal will be lacking a world-class goalkeeper, because of which they have turned their eyes to the Barcelona keeper, Neto.
Neto started his goalkeeping career at a Brazilian club known by the name, Athletico Paranaense. 2 years with the youth side earned him his professional debut. His debut was not a happy one as he got sent off and had to serve a 2-match ban. However, after returning, he has featured in almost every fixture for his side.
In 2011, Neto signed a deal with the Fiorentina. He had to wait almost a year to get his debut. After that, he had to wait for his chances as he wasn’t their first-choice keeper. It wasn’t until 2013 that he got his proper season.
Neto went on to play almost every match that season and the following one. He then joined the Serie A champions, Juventus on a 4-year deal. Introduced as a backup keeper for Buffon, he was consistently playing all the clubs’ domestic competitions.
But he joined Valencia when he was promised a bigger role in 2017. He was their primary option at goal and in just 2 years, he made 80 appearances and also won the Copa del Rey.
The Brazilian then joined another La Liga club, Barcelona in 2019 and has been there since. He hasn’t been getting the expected role as so far he has only featured in 16 matches. If it wasn’t for ter-Stegen’s injury, he wouldn’t have played even this much.
Arsenal to attempt a move for Neto the second time
Neto is set to feature in the last match of this season, which is also told to be his last match as a Barcelona player, according to Mundo Deportivo. Just like Arsenal, Barcelona are also planning for a squad overhaul with as many as 14 players set to leave the club in different forms of transfers.
It has been a questionable season for Barcelona. They bowed out of the Champions League at a very early stage. And their end of the season form knocked them out of the title race for which both the Madrid clubs are now competing.
Similarly, Arsenal are also having one of the worst forms. At one point, they were close to relegation, but they came back strong to finish at the top half of the Premier League table. However, this is no consolation for them as they are on the brink of missing European football for the first time in 25 years.
Despite losing the semi-final first leg against Valencia, they still had a great chance of progressing. They only needed to score a goal to progress to the finals. But they failed to do so, because of which their only hope of making it to the Champions League shattered.
So, to start afresh, Arsenal are preparing for an overhaul. They definitely don’t have the funds to bring in new players. Because of which they are planning on letting go of many players if a proper bid arrives.
There are 5 senior players, who have shown interest from their side in leaving the club. Of which Bernd Leno is a part. Arsenal had attempted to sign Neto on loan in January, but they had to settle for Mat Ryan. But, if Leno is to leave, they will try again for the 31-year-old goalkeeper.
