Leno lined up for Arsenal move
Published:
Leverkusen’s Bernd Leno is on the Gunners radar
Arsenal may have given Petr Cech the number one shirt, but the Gunners could still be in the market for a goalkeeper this summer.
The club have just announced Unai Emery as the man to follow Arsene Wenger but they have already pressed ahead with identifying new recruits.
Emery is used to working under this ‘European’ structure at board level.
CEO Ivan Gazidis, Head of Football Relations Raul Sanllehi and recruitment specialist Sven Mislintat are now taking a larger role in the make-up of the squad.
However, the new Arsenal Head Coach may give the green-light to the signing of Leverkusen’s Bernd Leno.
New challenge
The 26-year-old has been a mainstay at the German club for a number of years now. However, the arrival of Frankfurt number one Lukas Hradecky has put his future in doubt.
Leno’s agent Uli Ferber has revealed there are several options available, with one seemingly Arsenal.
Mislintat has a rich knowledge of the Bundesliga after his spell at Dortmund and has identified Leno as the man to takeover from Cech.
Supporters may have eulogised at the performance of Jan Oblak in this season’s Europa League clash and thought what if.
But in truth, Arsenal’s sixth-placed finish will limit their options.
The right man for the job
There’s definitely some other positions the Gunners will strengthen this summer but none as important as a long-term goalkeeping solution.
It may be that the time is right for a new culture and a new challenge for Leno who’s been at Leverkusen since 2011.
And It could prove to be an inspired signing in terms of getting the best out of a young defence.
Laurent Koscielny’s long-term injury coupled with Per Mertesacker’s retirement means Arsenal may look to youth.
Rob Holding, Calum Chambers and Konstantinos Mavropanos could rack up the appearances next season.
Shkodran Mustafi will be expected to take a lot of responsibility at the heart of the back four.
But it could be that Leno takes on a greater influence as the season goes on.
