Barcelona goalkeeper Neto wants Arsenal guarantee before agreeing transfer

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It is thought that Mikel Arteta is keen to replace Runar Alex Runarsson as his back-up keeper after the Iceland international’s uninspiring start. Arsenal have identified Barcelona goalkeeper Neto as an option, according to reports in Spain, having been keen on the Brazilian in the summer.

Arsenal are reportedly interested signing Barcelona goalkeeper Neto, but he wants to guarantee that he won’t be condemned to the bench before agreeing a move.

It is thought that Mikel Arteta is keen to replace Runar Alex Runarsson as his back-up keeper after the Iceland international’s uninspiring start.

Runarsson was a last minute addition in the summer transfer window for just £1m following the departure of Emiliano Martinez to Aston Villa.

However, his shaky showing against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup quarter-final showed that he might not be ready to step up to the level required as he made two errors to hand City the tie.

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According to the Sun, Arsenal have identified Barcelona stopper Neto as a long-term solution to the issue, having previously been interested in the 31-year-old.

The Brazilian has proved a worthy back-up to Marc-Andre Ter Stegen at the Nou Camp over the last 18 months, filling in capably when required.

Neto, who has one senior cap to his name, was priced at around £18m in the summer, a price deemed to high by Emirates Stadium chiefs, despite picking up a similar fee for Martinez.

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It is thought that Arsenal are ready to open negotiations again, but Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo insist that Neto will not settle for another bench warming role again.

Instead, the former Juventus man wants to have a fair crack at challenging Bernd Leno for the number one spot in north London.

Arteta admitted that Runarsson was a last minute signing due to the late departure of Martinez, and he was yet to fully resolve the goalkeeping situation.

Arteta said: “The discussions we had in the summer with Edu and the Club were a little bit different to what actually happened because of the transfer window and the situation that developed with Emi.

“We didn’t have much time to do what we really wanted to do and we decided to assess the situation now in this window.

“We will make a decision about how we want to move forward in those three positions in the goalkeeping area.”

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