Keith Downie has told Give Me Sport that he expects Newcastle to move for a goalkeeper, and could rekindle interest in Arsenal stopper Bernd Leno. The Toon were linked with a loan move for the German in January.
Leno, 29, has entered the final 18 months of his contract at Arsenal and has dropped to the bench – due to the form of Aaron Ramsdale. The ex-Bournemouth and Sheffield United man has been excellent in goal.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are set to sign USA international Matt Turner in the summer – and he is expected to warm the bench behind Ramsdale. The Athletic claim Leno would be ‘given permission’ to leave this summer.
90Min reported that Newcastle held talks with Arsenal over a loan move in the January window, but the Toon failed to progress with a deal. Downie says a move could be reignited in the summer window.
“I could see them looking to bring in a new goalkeeper in the summer and changing things up in the goalkeeping department. Leno is someone they would be interested in given his experience in the Premier League already.”
Downie on Leno: Arsenal star would be a proper coup for Newcastle
While he is on a big contract, getting Leno at Newcastle would be a brilliant move from the Toon’s owners. Leno did little wrong to lose his place, a couple of mistakes and the signing of Ramsdale has seen him drop down.
But he is a Germany international, a player with 485 club appearances to his name – even before his 30th birthday. If the Toon can bring in the Arsenal man, then it is a stunning deal and one fans should be excited by.
How much would Arsenal charge? Well, the Gunners signed him for £22million (Standard) in the summer of 2018. Now, given his contract situation, you would expect a fee of £15million might get a deal done.
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