Marca has recently reported that Barcelona have set a €15m asking price for their veteran goalkeeper Neto. It is understood that the Catalans are willing to give the Brazilian custodian his wish by selling him in the summer as long as they receive an offer no less than €15m for his services (via Marca).
Neto’s Growing Frustrations At Catalonia This Season
Neto’s current contract at the Nou Camp runs out in the summer of 2023, so Barca are in a good position as they won’t be forced to sanction his departure unless they get a suitable bid for him. The 31-year-old has played a sporadic role for the Catalan giants but has often found himself behind Marc-André ter Stegen in Ronald Koeman’s pecking order. He has featured in 11 matches for the Spanish outfit this term, conceding eight goals and securing five clean sheets in all competitions.
The ex-Valencia goalie has averaged 0.7 clearances and 2.8 long balls per game in La Liga. He has even been excellent when distributing the ball out from the back as evidenced by his pass completion rate of 86.3% in top-flight football (stats via whoscored).
With Neto finding game time coming at a premium this season, he needs to switch clubs during the summer transfer window if he wants to stay relevant at the highest level. At 31, he still has a few good years left in his locker, so he should consider joining a team where he will be a regular starter next season.
What Does The Brazilian Keeper Bring To The Table?
Neto is proficient at making quick dives inside his six-yard box and possesses decent reflexes that allow him to pull off some solid saves at the back. He is a decent handler of the ball and can be tidy when passing the ball to his teammates near him.
However, the Brazilian sensation is nowhere near the same level as Marc-André ter Stegen, so it makes no sense for Neto to honour his current contract by playing as the German international’s back-up in the coming seasons.
Barcelona Set €15m Asking Price For Neto: Good Decision By Koeman?
Barcelona’s decision to entertain offers no less than €15m seems to be a good move for everyone involved as it is only fair to the player if they allow him to leave if the right offer comes in for him at the end of this campaign. He has been solid in between the sticks for the Catalans since making a switch for Valencia back in 2019, but his career with Barcelona seems to have run its course heading into next summer.