According to Mundo Deportivo, Neto has emerged as a target for Tottenham this summer. The Barcelona goalkeeper is expected to leave Nou Camp in the transfer window, as the club look to balance their wage structure in order to combat the ongoing financial crisis. Tottenham aren’t the only club interested in Neto, though, with arch-rivals Arsenal also on the hunt for the Brazilian shot-stopper.
Neto’s Struggles At Barcelona
Neto joined Barcelona in 2019, in a direct swap deal involving Jasper Cillessen. He was favoured for his experience at the highest level of football, although his primary role at the club was to provide cover for first-choice goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen.
Quite predictably, the Brazilian’s time at Nou Camp has taken a bad turn, with the player struggling with a lack of game-time. During his ongoing two-year stint at the club, Neto has notched up only 17 appearances in all competitions.
His lack of minutes at Barca has not only halted his progress but has also left him out of contention in the Brazilian national team fold. At the moment, the 32-year-old is not even considered as a benchwarmer for his national side and is more than likely to miss out on the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup.
It has left him frustrated, with the former Juventus starlet now ready to move on. Barcelona themselves are not too keen on keeping hold of Neto, who commands a sizeable wage packet. His departure from Nou Camp, therefore, should serve as a massive financial boost for the Catalans.
Should Tottenham Sign Neto This Summer?
Tottenham Hotspur are in dire need of reinforcements in the goalkeeping department this summer. They have released Paulo Gazzaniga while Joe Hart’s contract expires at the end of next season. The same can be said for their current number one Hugo Lloris, who has also endured a steady decline in his game over the past few years.
As such, it is time for a change of guard, in between the sticks. But in Neto, Tottenham will find themselves a talented yet inconsistent shot-stopper who offers very little prospect for the future. He is only a couple of years younger than Lloris, but perhaps most importantly, the Brazilian hasn’t had much first-team action over the past few seasons.
Moreover, Neto commands a hefty wage packet which is sure to affect Spurs’ finances, at a time when they are already facing economic restraints. And with that in mind, it would be a massive gamble on Tottenham’s part to invest in the Barcelona goalkeeper. Instead, Nuno Espirito Santo should shift his attention to younger, hungrier alternatives, who can fix the goalkeeping issue for a foreseeable future.
