Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno has moved one step closer to leaving the club after verbally agreeing personal terms with newly-promoted Fulham, according to Sky Sports.
The German shot-stopper has been one of the lead candidates to depart from the Emirates Stadium this summer.
The stopper has been overshadowed by the arrival of Aaron Ramsdale, last season, from Sheffield United.
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Leno was thought to be flirting with the prospect of joining Benfica, now managed by compatriot and former Bayer Leverkusen boss Roger Schmidt.
However, Fulham have moved quickly to place themselves in pole position to land the goalkeeper.
According to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenburg, Leno looks set to join Fulham after verbally agreeing contract terms with the West London outfit.
At the age of 30, the Arsenal back-up looks set for a cross-city move on a three-year-contract.
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The terms laid out will also come with the option to extend the contract by a further year, potentially taking the deal up until the summer of 2026.
The news comes just as Leno, on Arsenal’s pre-season visit to Germany, played no part in the Gunners’ 5-3 victory away to FC Nürnberg.
With the German not even among the substitutes, the North Londoners have dropped a major hint over developments, amid links to Fulham.
BILD believe the omission was intentional, eliminating the prospect of an injury scuppering plans of a transfer that the German publication describes as “hot”.
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The Cottagers will now need to strike a deal with their Premier League counterparts if they’re to land their number one target for the goalkeeper position.
According to the same Sky Sports report, Arsenal will be looking for an offer north of the £10-million-mark to let the Germany international go.
New England Revolution’s Matt Turner was signed and is in position to deputise Ramsdale if necessary.
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Despite falling somewhat short of the £22 million invested in the ex-Leverkusen man in 2018, the fee will serve to beef up Arsenal’s transfer budget and free up wages, with the Gunners still active in the market.
Signed as the successor to Petr Čech, Leno made 125 appearances across all competitions since joining from the Bundesliga.
By contrast, Leno was called into action just eight times over the past year, making way for Ramsdale between the sticks.
Arsenal are far from finished in the window, and more players are expected to leave the Emirates this summer.
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Topics: Arsenal, Bernd Leno, Transfers, Fulham
Patrick Ribeiro