Arsenal are planning to sign a goalkeeper in the summer and Atalanta’s Marco Carnesecchi is reportedly high on their list of targets.
David Raya is due to remain as number one choice, but there is set to be a slot available as his back-up and chief competition for the gloves.
Neto is the current back-up stopper after joining from Bournemouth in the summer, but he is out of contract at the end of the summer and the 35-year-old is expected to leave when that deal expires.
Youngsters like Tommy Setford and Jack Porter are other goalkeepers at the club, but Mikel Arteta wants a more experienced option when Neto departs.
Italian publication Tuttosport reports that Carnesecchi is on Arsenal’s radar and they see him as a good option to come in as a capable back-up to Raya.
The 24-year-old joined his current team as a teenager in 2017 and after loan spells with Trapani and Cremonese he earned his place in the Atalanta team in the 2023/24 season.
The goalkeeper made 27 Serie A appearances last campaign and has made 15 this season having established himself as first choice.
He also has Champions League experience, making six appearances in the competition so far this season, while he has been capped by Italy up to Under-21 level, but not for the senior team yet.
Atalanta would be in no rush to sell their first choice goalkeeper, but his contract only runs until 2026 so the prospect of him leaving on a free transfer is very real.
The Italian side may well be tempted to cash in on Carnesecchiin the summer while they still can.
It may be that Carnesecchi wants some reassurances that he will be genuine competition for Raya and not find himself in Neto’s position.
The Brazilian goalkeeper arrived in the summer but is yet to make an appearance in any competition for his current club,