Arsenal: Bernd Leno’s path remarkably clear and simple

Arsenal are reportedly nearing the completion of a move for Bernd Leno. This is one of those rare moves where no questions need to be asked.

Arsenal are inching closer to securing another massive need for the club – a goalkeeping solution. With Petr Cech and David Ospina combined, the Gunners weren’t able to rely on much of anything at the back.

Bernd Leno is the guy that’s supposedly set to fix that. Bayer Leverkusen prematurely replaced their regular No. 1 keeper earlier in the transfer window, so a move always seemed likely, but now that it’s “nearing completion” we can start talking about what it means.

Remarkably, there isn’t much to talk about. Usually when the Gunners make a signing, there’s nothing clear about it. Think about the last few signings that have been made.

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Even elite players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang carried questions with them – what does it mean for Alexandre Lacazette, can he really be used out wide, etc.

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There was no easy answer to any of it. It’s more of the same with Sokratis on the horizon. Where will he fit in? Is he replacing anyone, or just a depth signing?

With Leno, there is no question to be asked – he is the new first team keeper, he is going to bump Petr Cech either into the reserve spot, or perhaps even to another club and that will determine what happens with David Ospina.

There really isn’t any other way this could go down. He isn’t coming in to sit behind Cech. He cost too much money for that, nor would he agree to a deal that doesn’t guarantee him some sort of concession as first-choice keeper.

The deal is rumored to be worth £22m, which is a healthy chunk for a keeper, but still reasonable enough to make the rest of the summer not completely penny-pinched. Combined with Lucas Torreira and Sokratis, however, the Gunners would be over the reported “budget” so it remains to be seen what will happen as a result.

This is good news, so long as it is officially announced. I was a bit concerned that the keeper spot may potentially sip through the cracks, but there has been no hesitation getting this move done.

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Then again, the move isn’t done, so I’ll just shut up about it until the club site announces it. Which will have hopefully happened by the time this article hits the web.