Barcelona’s Brazilian goalkeeper Neto Murara will ply his trade in the Premier League next season, reports say.
According to SPORT and best online casino, Barcelona are prepared to let go of the out-of-favour shot-stopper in the summer transfer window later this year. Aston Villa and Everton are said to be leading the chase for his signature.
In Merseyside, the 32-year-old is believed to be targeted to provide competition for first-choice Jordan Pickford. Asmir Begovic and Andy Lonergan have all failed in that regard and will be allowed to leave in the summer when their contracts expire.
The report adds that Aston Villa would only consider a move for the Barcelona ace if first-choice stopper Emiliano Martinez leaves. The Argentine international has been linked with some of the bigger clubs in the Premier League in the past, although those rumours have gone quiet in recent weeks.
But with the second-choice, Robin Olsen, only on loan until the end of the season, Neto could be seen as a replacement if the Villans do not sign the Swede on a permanent deal.
As per the report, Barcelona would be willing to sell Neto for a fee of around €14 million but would also consider a loan deal with a permanent option included. It remains to be seen if either Premier League club launch a swoop for the Brazilian come summer. Here’s all you need to know about the 32-year-old.
Early Life
Neto had been a goalie in his birthplace since he was a child, and he had played the same position as his father. Speaking about his childhood, it should be mentioned that he began his junior career with Atletico Paranaense and stayed with them throughout his senior career, from 2009 to 2011.
Professional career
Neto began his career with Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense and later played for Italian side Fiorentina. He joined Juventus in 2015, where he won the domestic double in each of his two seasons with the club, serving as a back-up to starter Gianluigi Buffon in the league, but appearing in all of the club’s games in both of their victorious Coppa Italia campaigns. In 2017, he joined Spanish side Valencia. On 27 June, 2019 FC Barcelona announced Neto’s signing.
International career
Neto, who love casinos online, was first called up for Brazil in 2010, but did not make his debut until 2018. He won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics and was part of Brazil’s squad at the 2015 Copa América.
Despite a solid career in professional football, Neto’s international career never really kicked off. While he did make a pair of appearances for Brazil’s U23 team in the 2012 Olympic Games in which Brazil finished in second place, years went by and call-ups came and went, but Neto went uncapped for the senior side.
He finally made his debut on 12 September 2018, beating El Salvador in a friendly – eight years after his first call up and after watching Brazil play 24 times from the bench, and that is still his only appearance for the Seleção.
Style of Play
The Brazilian goalie instills a sense of authority between the posts. Neto’s height, which is about two meters, mixed with his quickness, makes him a goalie who narrows the width of the goal allowing a striker to shoot at it with ease.
While the former Valencia star is confident in aerial moves, it is tough to beat him on the goal line or in one-on-one situations in this manner. Furthermore, despite his large frame, Neto has shown agility and quick reactions when serving as a goalkeeper in high-
pressure situations. When combined with his outstanding reflexes and speed off the line, Neto has a classic goalkeeper’s frame that makes him very difficult to beat.
Despite being a very successful shot-stopper by statistical criteria, he is unable to stop penalties, saving just four out of 36 tries despite his exceptional ability. Even while his height offers him a distinct advantage in the air, where he has excellent hands, he is nothing near the level of players such as Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Victor Valdes when the ball is at his feet.
