Arsenal Transfer News: Koeman denies Barcelona star’s transfer request

Stefan Bienkowski

• Updated: 17 May 2021 20:20 BST
• 2 min read

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has confirmed that he denied a transfer request from goalkeeper Neto. 

The 31-year-old shot stopper joined Barcelona from Valencia in 2019 for a fee reported to be around £24 million. 

However, the Brazilian keeper made just five appearances for the Catalan side last season and has made just nine this season, as successive Barcelona managers have stuck with Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in goals. 

As such, Neto has reportedly grown tired of being constantly overlooked and sought an exit from the Spanish giants in January or the summer window. 

And when asked if the goalkeeper had indeed tried to push through a move to leave the club, Koeman confirmed the player’s intentions but also stated that he had no intentions of letting his back-up keeper leave mid-way through the season. 

“It’s true Neto’s representative has asked to leave but we have said no,” the Barcelona manager told ESPN. “We want to be well covered in all positions.”

Arsenal showing an interest in Barcelona keeper

The news will come as a disappointment to Arsenal fans, who would have undoubtedly been looking forward to the player potentially making the move to London. 

According to Sky Sports, Mikel Arteta’s side were looking to bring a new goalkeeper, following the constant struggles of summer signing Runar Alex Runarsson.

However, it seems as though Barcelona will be doing all they can to keep a hold of the players they still have, with the current financial strain from the COVID pandemic having a real impact on the club’s ability to sign new players. 

The club were forced to shelf plans to sign Manchester City defender Eric Garcia in January after it was revealed that even a small sum of £5.6 million was too much to pay at this moment in time. 

However, when asked about Barcelona’s inability to add to the squad this month Koeman confirmed that he was more than happy to work with what he has. 

“I have heard that it is said that I am dissatisfied or worried, about this issue, and some other things, but I have to say that I am fine, I am happy: I know the financial limitations of the club” argued the Dutch coach.

“If it is not possible, it is not possible. We will continue with what we have.”