Arsenal valuation of Bernd Leno revealed

Arsenal have set their price tag for Bernd Leno this summer as the goalkeeping department prepares for an unexpected overhaul. From being a position of relative comfort, a full scale revamp is set to take place.

Leno came second in Arsenal’s Player of the Season award in 2019/20. There were genuine calls with some backing for him to scoop the gong ahead of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. He shouldn’t have, obviously, but such were his displays that those voices were heard well and loud.

Fast forward 12 months and it appears as if he’s off out the door. A series of clangers last season tainted his otherwise usual strengths, as it becomes so easy to forget the positive notes when it comes to goalkeepers.

Yet despite the mistakes Leno made, goalkeeper remained a position in the squad way down the pecking order in terms of importance. The German is still a very good stopper and the loan arrival of Mat Ryan looked like it could be made permanent.

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Arsenal’s valuation of Bernd Leno revealed as Arteta is open to German’s sale in the summer transfer window

Oh how times change in the summer transfer market.

As revealed by The Athletic, the 29-year-old has been considering his future with an eye on leaving the Gunners this summer. Such talk has since escalated and work is underway to secure the acquisition of Andre Onana from Ajax on a cut-price fee.

The Cameroonian has had his 12-month ban reduced to nine months, making him eligible to train with his new team (whoever that may be) in September before returning to competitive action in November.

A fantastic goalkeeper available on a bargain price would not only constitute genius business, but also adds further question marks over the current No. 1’s head. Neither would settle for being a backup.

As for Ryan, he impressed in his, very small, sample size of three matches, making a strong impression on the group and the coaching staff for his professionalism and attitude, paving the way for a permanent deal. While still not out of the question, Arsenal would prefer to sign a younger and homegrown stopper who can compete for the No. 1 jersey. Ryan is sadly neither of those things.

The Mirror add to further stories that Arsenal will look to sell Leno if they can secure the price they’re after, and if a buyer can be found. As of yet not a single link has surfaced around the deep dark rumour mill.

The Gunners have set their price for his signature as being what he was signed for ‘or slightly less’. Is that fair?

Continued…

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.