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Arsenal are said to be in a tussle with Unai Emery’s Villarreal to sign Barcelona’s Neto on a season-long loan deal, claims Spanish newspaper SPORT.

The Gunners have been linked with Neto for a couple of windows now but with the keeper entering the final 12 months of his contract, this is the most realistic chance that Arsenal have to bring him on board.

The 32-year-old joined Barcelona in 2019 but since then, he’s lived on the fringes, playing just 21 games across all competitions. Barca are more than willing to let him leave but the club want to bring in some funds from his sale, rather than lose him for free next year.

Barcelona had £22million for him in 2019 which is why they want to send him out on a loan deal this summer with an obligation to buy at the end of the 22/23 season.

Should Arsenal waste their energy on Neto?

We can understand why Unai Emery is so interested in Neto but it makes no sense for Arsenal to be chasing him.

Aaron Ramsdale is the current No 1 and the England international has been a stellar performer ever since he joined the club last year.

Yes, Arsenal will be losing Bernd this summer but they have already signed a replacement in the form of Matt Turner. Turner is a USA international who will be moving to the Premier League from New England Revolution.

Yes, Neto has experience in European football whereas Turner has played in North America but the USA international has played in 111 games for New England Revolution since 2018.

It makes very little sense why Arsenal want to sign Neto on a loan deal because Matt Turner can be a very able backup keeper. The Gunners won’t have to shell out too much this summer but Barca will undoubtedly put in an obligation to buy clause in his loan agreement meaning the North London side will have to unnecessarily shell out money next year.

Read: Spurs beat the Gunners to agree on a deal for this 25Y/O midfielder.