Arsenal 'Agree Deal' to Sign Premier League Goalkeeper as Aaron Ramsdale Replacement

Arsenal is on the verge of signing a new goalkeeper as they prepare for the potential departure of Aaron Ramsdale before the summer transfer window closes. The Gunners recently strengthened their goalkeeping department by converting David Raya's loan from Brentford into a permanent deal, and now, they are set to add another shot-stopper to their roster.

David Raya, the Spain international, has firmly secured the number-one position at Arsenal, having displaced Aaron Ramsdale early last season. This development has left Ramsdale seeking regular playing time elsewhere. The 25-year-old goalkeeper is now close to sealing a £25 million transfer to Southampton, having completed a medical with the Saints on Thursday.

However, Arsenal is keen to secure a replacement before allowing Ramsdale's move to Southampton to go through. Initially, the Gunners targeted Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, but negotiations stalled due to Espanyol's demand for a €30 million (£21 million) fee. As a result, Arsenal turned their attention to other potential targets.

According to reports from The Athletic, Arsenal has reached an agreement with Bournemouth to sign their goalkeeper Neto on a season-long loan. The deal does not include a buy option, but Neto is expected to undergo a medical examination on the transfer deadline day before being officially unveiled as a new Arsenal player.

Neto, currently the captain of Bournemouth, has been a key player for the Cherries since joining them from Barcelona in 2022. He has made 63 competitive appearances and has started all three of Bournemouth's matches this season, including a narrow 1-0 defeat to West Ham United in the EFL Cup's second round. Despite his crucial role at Bournemouth, Neto faces competition from Kepa Arrizabalaga, who recently joined the Cherries on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

With Neto's impending departure, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola will have to rely on Arrizabalaga and Mark Travers as his primary goalkeeping options for the remainder of the season.

Neto's career has been diverse, with the Brazilian goalkeeper having previously played for clubs like Athletico Paranaense, Fiorentina, Juventus, Valencia, and Barcelona before joining Bournemouth. His wealth of experience and versatility will be valuable assets for Arsenal as they look to bolster their squad depth ahead of the new season