Bournemouth appear ready to let goalkeeper Neto leave for free, as the Brazilian edges closer to a move back home in case John completes his transfer to West Ham.
[According to Globo Esporte](https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/botafogo/noticia/2025/08/03/botafogo-negocia-com-o-goleiro-neto-para-substituir-john.ghtml), Botafogo are in advanced talks to sign the 35-year-old on a two-year deal, with an option for a third.
The idea is simple: if John goes, Neto flies in. And with a new offer from West Ham now on the table, combined with the goalkeeper’s desire to join the London side, [as previously reported](https://sportwitness.co.uk/green-light-on-move-to-west-ham-offer-in-player-wants-transfer-looking-good-for-hammers/), the dominoes could start falling soon.
Neto would need to terminate his contract with Bournemouth to make the deal happen, but that’s reportedly not seen as a problem. Multiple sources in Brazil are claiming the Premier League side are not expected to stand in his way.
The Brazilian spent last season on loan at Arsenal, where he featured just once. Before that, he racked up 60 appearances across two seasons with Bournemouth. His European journey started back in 2010 at Fiorentina, with stops at Juventus, Valencia and Barcelona along the way.
Botafogo are playing this one with a mix of caution and anticipation, waiting for John’s Premier League dream to become official, but already moving to cover the gap before it opens.
Bournemouth, for their part, seem open to a quiet goodbye. Neto is no longer in the club’s plans and spent last season out on loan with little expectation of a return to the first team.
With his contract expiring in 2025, the Cherries would avoid a final year of wages by agreeing to a free release; a low-key exit for a player who once wore the captain’s armband.