West Ham United were linked with Neto over the summer and were previously interested in the goalkeeper back in 2021. Ultimately, he did not end up coming to the London Stadium. The free agent is now set to sign for Juventus.
The journalist, Nicolò Schira, posted on X: "Today it will be Norberto Neto’s return day at . Scheduled medicals and signing with Juve. Contract until June 2027."
Neto began his career in his home country of Brazil with Athletico Paranaense. He then moved to Serie A with Fiorentina before joining Juventus. However, he would make just 11 league appearances for Juve. At the time, they still had Gianluigi Buffon in goal. Buffon is popular with West Ham fans, as he wrote in his book that he would have liked to have played for the club. This was because he admired the style of West Ham's badge. Buffon got a great reception from fans at the London Stadium when he played for Juve in a friendly to mark West Ham's move to the ground.
La Liga was Neto's next destination, and he played for Valencia and Barcelona. When he was at Barça, there was speculation that he could join West Ham to compete with Lukas Fabianski. However, he would end up joining AFC Bournemouth in 2022 and go on to have a campaign on loan at Arsenal.
Neto could have been an experienced option for West Ham
Most recently, Neto was back in Brazil with Botafogo, but his stint at the club was marred by injuries. His contract was terminated over the summer. Neto was then linked with West Ham again. However, he would likely have been a backup for Mads Hermansen.
Hermansen is now West Ham's undisputed number one keeper. The Hammers also have the 20-year-old Finlay Herrick, who has played in EFL Cup matches this campaign. Alphonse Areola is also still at the club. He made West Ham's bench at the start of the season, but was then out with a calf injury.
Areola is now back in training and has been seen playing other sports, such as tennis, with his family. There was a rumour earlier in the year linking Areola with Beşiktaş. It did look like Areola's time at West Ham was coming to an end after his wife criticised Nuno Espirito Santo on social media after the Hammers were relegated. If Areola had moved on, then signing Neto would have been smart for West Ham. The player with one cap for Brazil is now 37, so he would have been an experienced option.
Neto's experience could have been very useful for the likes of Herrick. It shows how highly rated Neto is that Juventus is taking a chance on him again. They need a backup option for Guglielmo Vicario, with Kamil Grabara suffering from a cruciate ligament tear.
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