Barcelona goalkeeper Neto has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Brazilian giants Flamengo and could help add €4 million to the club’s coffers.
According to a report from Fichajes, Barcelona’s second-choice goalkeeper, Neto Murara, could be on his way back to his homeland in the ongoing January transfer window following interest from Brazilian side Flamengo.
The 32-year-old started his career at Brazilian club Athletico Paranaense before moving to Italian outfit Fiorentina in January 2011. After over four years at the club, he was picked up by Juventus in the summer of 2015, where he spent two seasons. In 2017, Neto made the jump to Spain, signing for Valencia.
The Brazilian was with Los Che for two years before joining Barcelona in 2019 as part of a deal that saw Jasper Cillessen move the other way. However, in over two years at Camp Nou, Neto has hardly got a look-in into the starting XI due to the presence of Marc-Andre ter Stegen as the undisputed starter between the sticks.
To date, Neto has played just 19 times in all competitions, conceding 18 goals and securing just seven clean sheets. The ex-Juventus ace has featured just two times in the current campaign and has been angling for an exit for a while now in search of regular playing time.
Neto has been attracting interest from clubs in the Premier League for quite some time now. But there is a chance that he could end up returning to his homeland over a decade after leaving his boyhood club Athletico Paranaense. As per the Fichajes report, Flamengo are keen on signing him in the ongoing transfer window.
Despite having another former Valencia shot-stopper in Diego Alves in their ranks, the Brazilian bigwigs are keen on bolstering their goalkeeping department, especially with the latter in the twilight of his career at 36. As a result, they have now set their sights on a winter transfer for Neto.
As per the report, the ex-Fiorentina and Juventus custodian has already held talks with Flamengo, and things are progressing forward smoothly, meaning there is a good chance that a transfer will go through. Neto’s potential departure from Camp Nou would help Barcelona generate funds of around €4 million, which they can invest in strengthening the squad while also freeing up space on the wage bill.
With Everton also interested in his services, it remains to be seen whether Neto ends up choosing to move to England or returning to Brazil.
