‘Verbal agreement’ – Arsenal strike deal for Premier League man with medical ‘set’ for deadline day

Arsenal wants to make a few more signings before the cutoff at 11 p.m.
Reports say that Arsenal and Bournemouth have agreed in principle to trade for keeper Neto. However, the deal will only go through if Arsenal fails to sign Espanyol stopper Joan Garcia.

After Southampton decided to pay up to £25 million for Aaron Ramsdale, the North London club is looking for a new custodian. The former Sheffield United player is David Raya’s back-up at the Emirates Stadium. Raya took over as the first choice last season, and the ex-Sheffield United player lost the job. He played every minute of the 2022–23 season, when Arsenal came in second place in the Premier League behind Manchester City. Raya’s loan from Brentford became permanent earlier this summer. With Ramsdale set to move to the south coast, the Gunners need to get a new backup before Friday at 11 p.m.

Arsenal’s main goal in replacing Ramsdale was to sign García, but they now seem to be moving with backup plans since they can’t come to a deal with Espanyol. The news comes from Fabrizio Romano, who says that a deal has been made verbally with Bournemouth to move their custodian Neto. Arsenal is said to have made two offers on Garcia, but Espanyol turned them down because the custodian will not leave until his release clause is met.
The Athletic also said that a deal had been reached and that Neto would have a medical on Friday, since talks with Espanyol had broken down. People have called the deal a “straight loan,” which means there is no pressure to buy. Neto has been the best player on the south coast since he joined the Cherries in 2022. He played in 27 Premier League games in his first season, 32 games the following season, and both league games this season.

But since Bournemouth signed Chelsea goalie Kepa Arrizabalaga on a season-long loan deal on Thursday, his job as the team’s top goalkeeper is in danger. The 29-year-old became the most expensive custodian in the world when he joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao for £71 million in 2018. This was more than the £71 million Liverpool paid AS Roma for Brazilian custodian Alisson Becker during the same transfer window.

Kepa said, “I know Andoni Iraola well, which was a big reason for me to come here. He talked very well about everything here.” I can’t wait to play in front of our fans. We hope to win something, and this year could be great.”