90Min claim that Arsenal are ready to cash in on goalkeeper Bernd Leno in the summer – and he remains a key target for Newcastle United. The ex-Bayer Leverkusen ace is out of contract in June 2023, at the Emirates.
Leno, 30, has now been at Arsenal for five years and for the majority of his first four seasons, he was first choice. Starting as no.1 this time around, Arsenal spent £30million to sign Aaron Ramsdale and Leno is now cover.
Expensive cover, at that. Leno is believed to be earning £100,000 a week at Arsenal – according to Spotrac. Matt Turner is set to arrive at Arsenal in the summer from MLS club New England Revolution for a fee of £7.5million.
It gives Arsenal the chance to rid themselves of a high earner, with a cheaper replacement in Turner – and Newcastle are keen. The Toon were linked in the summer, and 90Min say he remains a key Newcastle target.
Newcastle eye Leno: Arsenal man would be a very solid signing
What Newcastle’s new owners must consider is whether Leno is beginning to deteriorate, or if it was simply a bad patch of form with the pressure of a new goalkeeper breathing down his back. At 29, he is still young.
Leno would be a cheap signing in terms of transfer fee and that helps Newcastle going forward in terms of Financial Fairplay – allowing them to spend big on other areas of the squad. His wages are easily affordable.
He would certainly be first choice, and he would fit into the category of signing Eddie Howe has already made. Players in their peak, that have Premier League experience – Chris Wood, Dan Burn, Matty Targett etc.
But the one issue is whether Leno is past his best – having already surpassed 450 club appearances for Arsenal, Leverkusen and Stuttgart. Or whether it was simply just a blip in form and with minutes, he can get back to his best.
Mikel Arteta thinks he is “magnificent”.
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