Serie A giants AS Roma, Lazio and Inter Milan are reportedly interested in signing Neto, who is keen on leaving Barcelona next summer.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Neto is determined to call it quits at Barcelona in next summer’s transfer window. The Brazilian goalkeeper is being courted by Serie A giants AS Roma, Lazio and Inter Milan, with the trio of clubs currently tracking his situation.
Neto joined Barcelona from Valencia in June 2019, with the Blaugrana’s backup goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen heading the other way at the same time. At Camp Nou, the 32-year-old has filled the spot that was taken up by Cillessen and has played second fiddle to Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the last two and a half years.
To date, the Brazilian goalkeeper has made only 19 appearances for Barcelona, keeping seven clean sheets in the process. Neto’s frustrations have boiled over after getting only scarce opportunities at the Catalan club. Therefore, he is eager to call it quits at Barcelona next summer, with Serie A giants AS Roma, Lazio and Inter Milan among those keen on signing him.
The interest from AS Roma is surprising, considering they only signed Rui Patricio in the summer transfer window this year. With the Portuguese goalkeeping ace barely putting a step wrong, it is hard to see how Neto will fit in the scheme of things, as he is only a year younger than the Roma first-choice custodian.
As for Lazio, Thomas Strakosha is heavily linked with a move away from the club amid interest from Newcastle United. With the goalkeepers sharing game-time quite heavily at Stadio Olimpico, Neto could be enticed by the prospect of returning to Serie A by joining the Biancocelesti.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan have been eager to sign a goalkeeper due to Samir Handanovic’s advancing age. With the Slovenian goalkeeping ace now 37 years old, it is prudent of the Serie A champions to consider a move for a goalkeeper, with Andre Onana, who has also been linked with Barcelona, a key target.
However, if they cannot land the Ajax goalkeeper despite reportedly leading the race to sign him currently, Neto could be a viable short-term solution for Inter. With the 32-year-old keen on leaving Barcelona, a return to Serie A is a major possibility. So, it remains to be seen if any of AS Roma, Lazio and Inter Milan can secure his services.
