Arsenal have reportedly made the decision to replace Aaron Ramsdale with Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto.
Throughout the summer transfer window, Ramsdale has been heavily linked with a transfer out of the Emirates Stadium having been demoted to deputy by David Raya.
Although Gunners boss Mikel Arteta had been prepared to retain the services of the England international, Southampton signed Ramsdale earlier on Friday.
As a result, the expectation was that Arsenal would eventually complete a deal for Espanyol stopper Joan Garcia, who allegedly agreed personal terms earlier this month.
However, it has since emerged that the respective clubs were unable to agree on a fee, despite Arsenal being prepared to pay an initial €20m (£16.85m).
Instead, last season's Premier League runners-up are now closing in on a deal for a player who has experience of England's top flight.
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Arsenal turn attention to Neto
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, everything is in place for Neto to sign for Arsenal over the coming hours.
During his press conference on Friday, Arteta was told that Neto had already been seen behind the scenes, the Spaniard refusing to comment further aside from admitting that he required a new second-choice goalkeeper.
Providing that a medical is passed, there is every expectation that the 35-year-old will become an Arsenal player for the rest of the season.
Bournemouth are allowing the veteran to leave the Vitality Stadium courtesy of having signed Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on a similar deal earlier in the week.
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Shrewd signing by Arsenal?
Since arriving on the South coast from Barcelona in 2022, Neto has gone on to make 63 appearances for Bournemouth in all competitions.
He subsequently became captain under Andoi Iraola and has started each of their three games in all competitions since the beginning of 2024-25.
While he will naturally become deputy to David Raya, Neto can expect to play some games in cup competitions, while Arsenal are making a profit on their books in the short term.
Darren Plant
