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Arsenal outcast Bernd Leno wanted by Newcastle United

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Arsenal’s forgotten man Bernd Leno is finally ready to leave the club this summer. The goalkeeper has been demoted to the bench since Aaron Ramsdale’s signing and is now looking for regular playing minutes. According to 90min, Newcastle United have shown interest to sign Leno this summer. The Magpies have heavily backed their manager Eddie Howe since his appointment and will continue the same in the summer market. Moreover, after Howe did a spectacular job to take Newcastle from relegation-threatened to an 11th place finish, the club seems to have handed their manager a handsome transfer budget.

Leno signed for Arsenal in 2018 from Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen for £22.5 million. The Gunners then handed him the number 1 in the following season. Leno played a significant 117 games for Arsenal until the start of the last season. Aaron Ramsdale arrived for £30 million from Sheffield United and Mikel Arteta immediately gave him the starting role. As a result, Leno managed only 8 games in the 2021-22 season being the deputy to Ramsdale. However, the German shot-stopper wants out this summer in search of a starting role.

Newcastle ramped up their interest in Leno

Newcastle are on the hunt for a new goalkeeper to replace their 33-year-old Martin Dubravka. At 30, Leno is considered a healthy option by Newcastle who are ready to wrap up a deal. The Magpies however first targeted Manchester United‘s Dean Henderson for a move. But since they failed, Newcastle have now turned their attention to the Arsenal’s keeper. Further on, Leno is also thought to be a cost-effective option since a fee in the range of £10-£12 million would be enough to acquire the German.

On the other hand, though Mikel Arteta has admitted that he would want Leno to stay it looks highly unlikely at the moment. The report from 90min has further stated that Leno has already bid goodbye to everybody at the club. However, Leno is yet to open talks with Newcastle who have recently registered their interest. The 30-year-old wants a guaranteed starting spot to think over a potential move.

Leno has also lost his spot in the German national team and wants to make a comeback. The World Cup is fast approaching and Leno has set his sights on the same. A move to Newcastle seems exciting given the Magpies would readily hand Leno the number 1. The shot-stopper has plied his trade in the Premier League for 4 good years now, barely letting the Gunners down. Leno has managed 37 clean sheets in 125 games for Arsenal, pulling off an impressive 3 saves per game.

Furthermore, Arsenal will welcome MLS goalkeeper Matt Turner next season, which could dent Leno’s chances. This would push Leno towards Newcastle who are could offer him a promising project. Arsenal will still push to get a decent fee for Leno who has one year left on his current deal. However, with a market value of £9 million, the North Londoners should not expect figures around what they paid for Leno.

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