Premier League side now closing in on deal for ‘magnificent’ Arsenal player – could be done deal soon
Arsenal player is closing in on a move to Fulham, according to West London Sport.
The Gunners stopper Bernd Leno has been linked with a departure from the Emirates Stadium for much of the year.
Leno has been Arsenal’s first-choice stopper for most of his time at the club.
However, a poor start to the 2021-22 campaign saw Mikel Arteta give Aaron Ramsdale a chance in goal.
The 2021 summer signing impressed from the off and quickly made the first-choice gloves his own.
Leno had to make do with cup games as Ramsdale played most of his side’s Premier League games.
And with Matt Turner now at Arsenal, Leno has likely dropped to third place in the pecking order.
Just today, SportBILD claimed the Germany international ‘wants to play again’ and not ‘sit out his contract on the bench.’
Fulham have been linked with Leno for a number of weeks and, now, there may have just been a breakthrough.
According to West London Sport, the Cottagers are looking to tie up a deal for the “magnificent” keeper.
The Premier League newcomers have been in negotiations to buy Leno and ‘an agreement now appears to be close
A move that suits all parties – our View
Any great goalkeeper worth his salt won’t be happy sitting on the bench after being first-choice for most of his career.
Leno is absolutely right to look for a move elsewhere. With the World Cup on the horizon, he’ll want to be in contention for that too.
He has been a great servant for Arsenal. But with Ramsdale now firmly first-choice and Turner also through the door, it’s best for him to go.
If he does join Fulham, then it’s great for Leno. He’d not only remain in the Premier League and is will likely be first-choice, but he doesn’t have to move away from London.
Meanwhile, the Cottagers get themselves a proven goalkeeper who can help them stay up, and the Gunners can get some money from his sale and get £100,000-a-week off their wage bill.
