TRANSFER | Barcelona sign Neto for 35 million euros

La Liga giants Barcelona announced the signing of Valencia goalkeeper Norberto Murara Neto in a transfer that could be worth up to 35 million euros, trading places with Jasper Cillessen.    

Barcelona unveiled their latest signing on Thursday and took to Twitter to announce the same. Read the tweet here: 

According to the club's official website, the initial transfer fee will be 26 million euros, with 9 million euros in add-ons while Valencia paid 35 million euros to sign Cillessen on 26 June.

Neto was Valencia's regular starter in La Liga last season, while Cillessen mostly backed-up Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and was Barcelona's primary stopper in the Copa del Rey. In all likelihood, the Dutchman will be Los Che's(Valencia's) No. 1 next season, while Neto will back up Ter Stegen.

The Brazilian has experience in such a role, as he previously provided cover for Gianluigi Buffon during a brief two-year spell at Juventus. He later reportedly said he wasn't happy in Turin, leading to his transfer to Spain in search of more playing time, according to foreign media sources. Cillessen found himself in a similar position at the Camp Nou as exit rumors started to swirl last summer.

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Cillessen was linked to both Arsenal and Liverpool, but they addressed their goalkeeping needs by adding Bernd Leno and Alisson Becker, respectively.

The swap with Neto will satisfy Cillessen's desire for more regular playing time without leaving the Catalans short of a quality substitute.

According to reports, it will also allow the two clubs to manipulate financial fair play regulations. Neto's move will reportedly be made official before the end of the fiscal year, and Cillessen will be registered after, with that transfer fee counting toward next season.  

Neto began his career with Brazilian side Atlético Paranaense and later played for Italian side Fiorentina. 

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