Bernd Leno is likely to leave Arsenal this season, following a season in which he made just four appearances in the Premier League. According to sources, he may have a suitor in London ready to employ his services.
According to the very reliable David Ornstein, of The Athletic, Fulham FC are in talks to sign the German shot-stopper this summer. According to the report, Leno is keen to stay in London and is the newly-promoted club's preferred option, although nothing is agreed.
Signing the German international would represent quite the coup for the west London club, who are aiming to survive relegation from the Premier League for the first time since 2013, on the fourth attempt. A goalkeeper of Leno's quality would serve to boost the odds of that aim with the German possibly adding much-needed Premier League experience and quality to Fulham's squad.
Leno's Arsenal career has taken an unfortunate turn, really through no fault of his own. The German started nearly all of Arsenal's games last season and was by no means exceptional but average by his standards. The season before, he was undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in the division. An injury late on in the season kept him out of the FA Cup run (and provided Emi Martinez with a career lifeline) but the goalkeeper still finished second in Arsenal's player of the season vote. He was a shining light in an awful league season and many wondered where Arsenal would have finished without him.
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The summer of 2021 saw Arsenal pay £30m for 23-year-old Aaron Ramsdale. This figure was laughed at by even Arsenal fans when the deal was announced, many saw him as an average goalkeeper who had come off the back of consecutive relegations. However after Leno had conceded nine goals from Arsenal's opening three Premier League games, not through notably bad goalkeeping but not great either, Ramsdale was given his chance and has not looked back since. The Englishman's ability with his feet and general quality are too big of a bonus to ignore considering the way Arsenal now play and Leno has unfortunately been left behind.
With Arsenal also acquiring 27-year-old Matt Turner from New England Revolution in January, it is clear Leno's future lies elsewhere.
One thing is clear whether it is Fulham or any other club that complete a move for Arsenal's German stopper. They will be signing a top quality goalkeeper. Leno will be remembered fondly by the Arsenal fans if he leaves this summer and can always be sure to receive a warm reception at the Emirates, something that can not always be said of the players who have left Arsenal in recent years.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Arsenal, Transfers, Aaron Ramsdale, Bernd Leno, Fulham