September 24th 2024.
Neto, a talented goalkeeper for AFC Bournemouth, almost ended up playing for Liverpool instead of his current loan club, Arsenal. According to John Achterberg, a former goalkeeping coach for the Reds, Liverpool had made several attempts to recruit Neto before he joined the Gunners on a season-long loan. The move to Arsenal was meant to provide cover for their No.1 goalkeeper, David Raya, after the sale of Aaron Ramsdale to Southampton.
However, things could have gone very differently for Neto if he had ended up at Liverpool. Achterberg revealed that the club had been scouting Neto for years and he was a top choice for their playing style. "I looked at everything every year when there were new goalies coming in the leagues," he said in an interview with the LFC Transfer Room Podcast. "I'd try to find them, make lists on that and then if I found goalkeepers who played the way we wanted to play I'd come back to that. Neto was a goalkeeper we tried a few times to get as well, but that didn't come off. He could play the way we wanted to play. When you're at Liverpool there aren't too many at the top level to find."
Since joining Arsenal on loan, Neto has yet to make his first appearance for the north London team. The 35-year-old was brought in as a temporary replacement for Raya, who is currently on loan from Chelsea. Bournemouth was happy to let Neto make the switch, especially after signing Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan from Chelsea. Neto arrived in the Premier League in 2022 with plenty of experience, having previously played for Barcelona, Valencia, Juventus, Fiorentina, and Athletico Paranaense. He even became captain of Bournemouth during his time there.
In an interview with the Arsenal website, Neto expressed his excitement about joining the club. "I'm realising a dream in my life, a dream come true, and I'm really, really happy," he said. "I had two dreams as a kid to play for a football team. It was my team in Brazil, where I grew up and became a professional footballer, and also Arsenal. And now I'm realising it! I'm a really lucky person."
It's no surprise that Neto was eager to join Arsenal, as it was one of his childhood dreams. The Gunners have a long history of success and are known for their attractive style of play. Neto's loan move to the club was a dream come true for him, and he couldn't be happier about it.
Meanwhile, Arsenal fans eagerly await Neto's first appearance for the club. With his experience and skill, he is sure to make a positive impact on the team. For more news, exclusives, and analysis on Arsenal, sign up for our newsletter and follow our website. Your privacy is important to us, and we are protected by reCAPTCHA and Google's Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
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