Arsenal will be unable to make a loan move for Brighton & Hove Albion’s budding striker Evan Ferguson this month due to a key Premier League rule.
As per reports from Arsenal Fanatics News, the Gunners are interested in bringing Ferguson to the Emirates Stadium, however, they will not be able to approach players for loan deals if they belong to Premier League clubs, since they already have two PL players in Raheem Sterling and Neto on-loan.
The league has clearly put this rule in place to prevent too much free movement of talent and the preservation of vested interests between clubs. However, Arsenal are in a situation where they will have to make a strong and quick decision to resolve the matter. While Sterling has at least featured sparingly, Neto is yet to play a single minute for the Gunners.
Aged 35 currently, it is also understandable that Neto is showing very little enthusiasm when it comes to a possible move. He is nearing the end of his career and it is extremely unlikely that he would start at any PL club, and may not even make it as their second-choice. However, with the Gunners yet to replace Aaron Ramsdale, Neto has enjoyed being Arsenal’s number two. Alternatively, Arsenal can convert Neto’s loan into a permanent transfer and then drop in to bring Ferguson on a loan deal.
Neto’s career in numbers
Norberto Neto was born in Brazil in 1989 and began his professional playing career with Cruzeiro, before joining Athletico Paranaense’s youth setup between 2003-09. He broke into their first-team in 2009 and spent two years representing them before making his big move over to Fiorentina in Serie A.
He enjoyed two to three year stints with Fiorentina, Juventus, Valencia and Barcelona, making over 200 appearances for these clubs keeping 78 clean sheets in the process. After his last major stint as Barca’s backup goalie, Neto joined Bournemouth in 2022 on a free transfer as a back-up to Mark Travers.
MUST READ: Arsenal showing interest in 14GA Bologna striker who could be available for €35m
After two underwhelming years with the Cherries, Neto finally made the move to Arsenal on deadline day in August 2024, but has still yet to make a senior appearance for the Gunners.
