£30 million Barcelona shot-stopper Norberto ‘Neto’ Murara has turned down a move to the Premier League with Fulham as he closes in on a long-awaited Napoli switch, as reported by Sport.
When you consider La Blaugrana splurged £30 million on a back-up goalkeeper – one they will let go for absolutely nothing three years down the line – it’s really no surprise that the Catalan giants are in a bit of a state, financially-speaking.
Neto is just one of so many players who arrived at the Camp Nou for huge money, failing to live up to expectations before being ushered quietly out the door. Barcelona will to rip up the final year of his contract, so long as the 33-year-old agrees to give up any remaining wages.
According to Sport, Fulham came calling.
The Cottagers, they add, were happy to pay Neto a ‘big salary’. That was not enough to convince the former Juventus man to put pen to paper with the Londoners, however. Neto, it seems, has concerns about the prospect of joining a club who have suffered relegation in each of their last three Premier League seasons.
The veteran ‘keeper also turned down Celta Vigo.
Neto turns down Fulham as he nears Barcelona exit
Napoli remain his preferred destination. Luciano Spalletti’s side will be playing Champions League football next term, after all. What’s more, Napoli are in the market for an experienced glovesman following David Opsina’s departure.
Sport add that a return to Italy is now entering the final stages for a man who won the Serie A title with Juventus in 2016 and 2017. Neto, who made his name at Fiorentina before moving to Turin, could be unveiled as a Napoli player before the week is out.
Not that Fulham will be too concerned.
The Cottagers have finally reached a breakthrough in talks with Arsenal for Bernd Leno. According to Sky Sports, Fulham will pay a reduced fee in the region of £8 million.
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