Arsenal have signed Brazilian goalkeeper Neto on loan from Bournemouth, a move that has allowed Aaron Ramsdale to complete his transfer to Southampton.
The Gunners had been heavily linked with a move for Espanyol’s Joan García, but with the Spanish club holding out for ₤25 million for a player with limited top flight experience, such a fee could not be justified, for somebody who would only play in cup games if David Raya stays fit.
Neto has just lost his place in the Bournemouth side who have signed Kepa Arrizabalaga rom Chelsea, also on loan.
Now 35, Neto is an experienced option who can serve as a back-up to David Raya for the season, and he does have the benefit of knowing the Premier League.
He made 60 appearances in all competitions for the South Coast side, who he joined from Barcelona two years ago.
In 2018 he earned his solitary cap for Brazil, in a friendly win over El Salvador.
The Gunners can be accused of a lack of joined-up thinking with Neto’s signing. He was signed too late to take his place on the bench for their Premier League home game against Brighton, and he is also ineligible to play in the Carabao Cup for them against Bolton Wanderers, having already played in the competition for Bournemouth against West Ham.
