Arsenal valuation of Bernd Leno revealed

Arsenal Set Fair Bernd Leno Valuation of £22.5m

While Arsenal may have set their valuation, them actually receiving it is another matter. In this depressed market, it’s the chance to poach players from across Europe on cheaper deals. The reverse of that is much tougher to pull off.

Signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £22.5m, Arsenal will look to recoup the vast majority of that with Leno’s sale. With two years left on his deal, still being a good age for a goalkeeper, being vastly experienced and, you know, still a good Premier League stopper makes that a fair estimation.

That they will accept ‘slightly less’, however, is an indicator of the realism they will have to operate in during this market.

Furthermore, how ‘low’ will depend on what else occurs during the window. If Onana is signed then Arsenal will need their other goalkeeping addition, whoever that may be, to play until November at the earliest. Onana is available for peanuts and any backup stopper shouldn’t break the bank either.

From Arsenal’s point of view they will be happy with their business if the German’s sale can pay for two goalkeepers. That scenario, of course, means that Alex Runarsson will be No. 2 for a scary length of time.

It is an area full of uncertainty and ideally Arsenal would like to keep Leno on until the winter in the case of a new first choice arriving. Convincing him to do so is highly unlikely. Lots of different variables and lots of elements that need to fall into place to make this a smooth ride.

That said, for £22.5m and with a top drawer goalkeeper coming in, Arsenal will be happy to make it work, even if the whole situation has fallen on their lap somewhat reluctantly.