Arsenal have reached an agreement to complete a deadline-day move for AFC Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto on a loan deal, with a medical to follow.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: Neto of Bournemouth waves to the fans after the pre-season friendly match between Bournemouth and Rayo Vallecano at Vitality Stadium on August 04, 2024. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: Neto of Bournemouth waves to the fans after the pre-season friendly match between Bournemouth and Rayo Vallecano at Vitality Stadium on August 04, 2024. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

With Arsenal set to sell Aaron Ramsdale to Southampton, and Karl Hein moving on loan to Real Valladolid, the Gunners need to secure a solid backup to David Raya before Friday’s transfer deadline.

It was long believed that backup would be Espanyol’s Joan Garcia, but the Spanish club are holding firm to the goalkeeper’s release clause, a €30m fee Arsenal are unwilling to pay.

As a result, the Gunners have pivoted, and they’re now on the verge of signing Neto from AFC Bournemouth on loan.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: Goalkeeper Neto of AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle United FC at Vitality Stadium on August 25, 2024. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: Goalkeeper Neto of AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle United FC at Vitality Stadium on August 25, 2024. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

David Ornstein reports for The Athletic that Arsenal have reached an agreement with Bournemouth to sign Neto on a season-long loan, with no buy option or obligation.

Neto will hold a medical on deadline day, with Ornstein explaining that the deal came about after the Gunners hit an impasse in talks for Garcia.

Fabrizio Romano suggests the Neto deal still hinges on Garcia, with Arsenal only planning to proceed with finalising the loan if the move for the Espanyol goalkeeper collapses on deadline day.

But James McNicholas reports the Garcia deal is now “highly unlikely” in this window.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: Goalkeeper Neto of AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle United FC at Vitality Stadium on August 25, 2024. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: Goalkeeper Neto of AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle United FC at Vitality Stadium on August 25, 2024. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

In the meantime, Neto is going ahead with the formal aspects of his move, with Simon Stone reporting that he’s holding a medical at Arsenal on Friday morning.

If the goalkeeper is to be in Arsenal’s squad against Brighton on Saturday, the deal needs to be done by midday.