Arsenal Transfers: Bernd Leno verbally agrees to join Fulham on three-year deal

Bernd Leno is edging closer to his Arsenal exit with reports emerging that the German goalkeeper has verbally agreed to join Fulham on a three-year deal.

Leno was usurped by Aaron Ramsdale as the Gunners’ number one last season and was expected to leave the club this summer. Matt Turner was pre-emptively signed from the New England Revolution to replace Leno, who is poised to stay in the Premier League.

Fulham have long been in negotiations with both Arsenal and Leno’s entourage to bring him to Craven Cottage, and West London Sport reported on Thursday that an agreement was close.

Bernd Leno verbally agrees to join Fulham on a three-year deal

According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Leno has verbally agreed to join Fulham on a three-year deal. The German shot-stopper is keen on the move, but the two clubs are yet to agree on a fee.

Arsenal are demanding around £10m for Leno’s services.

The Gunners are fully aware they’ll make a loss on their current number two. Leno was signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £22.5m back in 2018 and emerged as a reliable figure between the sticks under both Unai Emery and, initially, Mikel Arteta.

His limitations with the ball at his feet, however, meant he was never a long-term option for the Spanish boss. As a result, the Gunners moved for the technically proficient Ramsdale last summer and despite an indifferent end, the England international impressed for the most part during his debut season.

Leno, meanwhile, is a superb option for a lower-tier Premier League club like Fulham who won’t be expected to dominate possession and will instead be forced to defend for large spells. The German is an excellent shot-stopper, and this move could help rejuvenate the 30-year-old’s career.

If Arsenal can recuperate £10m for his sale considering that he’s entering the final year of his contract, many will view that as a pretty good result for the club.