Arsenal 'in talks' to sign Barcelona goalkeeper Neto amid Leno injury

Arsenal have made an enquiry with a view to signing Barcelona goalkeeper Neto.

The Gunners are on the lookout for a medium-term replacement for their No.1 Bernd Leno, who was stretchered off in the first half of their 2-1 defeat away at Brighton on Saturday.

Leno is expected to be out for at least the rest of 2020 after seriously injuring his knee in a collision with Seagulls striker Neal Maupay, which sparked skirmishes between the sides.

Mikel Arteta has yet to reveal the full extent of Leno’s layoff – but Arsenal fans are fearing the worst following reports in the Spanish press that a new keeper is top of his wish list.

While the Spanish manager is thought to prefer to take Neto on a loan deal with the option to buy him next summer, Barcelona want to sell him sooner to help balance the books.

The Catalans have reportedly set an asking price of 20million euros (£18million) for their back-up goalkeeper, who has played only four times since arriving for 23.3million last June.

Neto conceded seven goals in those appearances, which included a 3-2 loss against Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup in January.

Barcelona’s rumoured interest in signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has opened the door to a potential part-exchange – although the Blaugrana have no shortage of options up front and are in need of cash to cope with coronavirus.

Arsenal would be the latest Premier League side to turn to a Brazilian stopper.

Known for their attacking talent, Neto would join Liverpool ’s Alisson Becker, Man City’s Ederson and Watford ’s Heurelho Gomes in Brazil’s goalkeeping contingent in England.

Meanwhile, The Sun is reporting that the Gunners are also considering a move for Joe Hart, who is currently warming the Burnley bench.

Their current back-up keeper is Argentine Emiliano Martínez, an academy graduate who has been out on loan to as many clubs as he has first-team appearances for Arsenal.