Neto joins Arsenal on season-long loan from Bournemouth

Arsenal have completed the signing of Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto on a season-long loan. Neto completed his medical on Friday ahead of his move to the Emirates Stadium and will now join up with Mikel Arteta’s side for the remainder of the 2024-25 ca

Arsenal have completed the signing of Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto on a season-long loan.

Neto completed his medical on Friday ahead of his move to the Emirates Stadium and will now join up with Mikel Arteta’s side for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign.

The Athletic reported that Arsenal had agreed a deal with their Premier League counterparts to sign Neto. They had decided to pursue a deal for the 35-year-old after hitting an impasse in talks over Espanyol’s Joan Garcia.

Earlier this week, Bournemouth signed Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea on a season-long loan deal.

Transfer deadline day live on The Athletic…

Garcia, 23, was identified by Arsenal as a goalkeeper to challenge David Raya for the No 1 spot, contingent on Aaron Ramsdale’s departure from the north London club this summer. A £25million deal has been agreed for Ramsdale’s move to Southampton, and he completed his medical on Thursday.

However, negotiations with Espanyol for Garcia hit a roadblock, with the club insisting on his €30m release clause.

Neto, who was Bournemouth’s first-choice goalkeeper and appointed club captain by former head coach Gary O’Neil in February 2023, made 32 appearances last season, keeping seven clean sheets. But he was set to face competition from Kepa Arrizabalaga, who joined Bournemouth on a season-long loan from Chelsea on Thursday.

Neto, who arrived at Bournemouth from Barcelona in 2022, had replaced Mark Travers as the club’s No 1. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, are considering a move for Travers.

(Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images)