Fiorentina Head Coach Vincenzo Montella has suggested want away goalkeeper Neto is likely to be demoted from being first choice.
The former Brazil under-23 international’s contract expires in June and after he informed Viola officials that he won"t be extending his stay at the club, Montella is seemingly set to promote reserve stopper Ciprian Tătărușanu, or enter the transfer market for a replacement.
"I have no doubts in the professionalism of Neto, but my doubts are more about his mental state," said the tactician, as reported by website Football Italia.
"Tata [Tătărușanu] is a great goalkeeper and can easily play.
"These are things that happen in football, and they’ll remain that way even if there’s bitterness.
"There’s no gratitude in football and we shouldn’t expect it. They made their evaluations and obviously wanted something different.
"We spoke a long time ago, and yesterday he reiterated that he’s available and accepts any choice. I reiterated my position, which is that from experience this is not an easy situation.
"Can Tătărușanu play in all three competitions [Serie A, Coppa Italia and UEFA Europa League]? Of course, he can do it. We also have [Luca] Lezzerini and [Cristiano] Lupatelli who’s injured.
"However, the easiest thing would be to have another goalkeeper, it would be appropriate to bring another one in."
Neto was signed by Fiorentina from Atlético Paranaense for a reported fee of €3.5 million in January 2011 and has been almost ever-present since Montella’s appointment in June 2012.
The 25 year-old, who has kept seven clean sheets this season, has been strongly linked with Juventus, Liverpool and Roma, while Udinese reserve Željko Brkić was suggested by newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport as a possible replacement on Monday.
