Hertha Berlin are interested in signing Bernd Leno from Arsenal, provided the keeper takes a massive pay cut.
According to Bild, Hertha Berlin are exploring the opportunity to sign Bernd Leno from Arsenal, with the keeper ready to leave the Premier League side. However, the German side are hoping the shot-stopper takes a massive pay cut, without which they may not be able to afford him.
Bernd Leno could end his time at Arsenal after enduring a difficult season at the Emirates. At first, the German was the understandably Mikel Arteta’s No. 1 choice, but the arrival of Aaron Ramsdale completely changed the equation for the custodian.
Leno has not played enough games in the season after Ramsdale’s promotion to the No. 1 spot, with the German making do with cup games and an occasional league outing. He enters the final year of his deal at Arsenal, and the club are likely to cash in this summer.
Arsenal are certainly not expecting to recoup anywhere near the £19 million they paid to acquire the keeper from Bayer Leverkusen. After recent interest from Benfica, Arsenal reportedly quoted €10 million for Leno, as former boss Roger Schmidt is keen to be reunited with the German international.
More clubs are expected to show interest in the Arsenal goalkeeper as the summer transfer window gets closer. Leno has already rejected the advances of Newcastle United, although there is a possible opportunity for him to re-sign for Leverkusen.
And now, Hertha Berlin have reportedly joined the chase for Leno, with the Bundesliga strugglers willing to sign the keeper for next season. However, to complete the move or even consider it in all seriousness, Hertha are hoping many factors work in their favour, such as Leno taking a significant wage cut, among other things.
Then there is the issue of paying Arsenal’s asking price, which may create more complications for the German capital club, who just about avoided relegation, in their bid to sign Leno.
This story could fade away as quickly as it emerged, as these are not favourable terms for the 30-year-old goalkeeper who is in his prime. Leno will likely wait and explore other opportunities that could arrive in the transfer window. Hertha could be the last resort for the Arsenal star, who would be aiming to join a strong club rather than one that narrowly survived relegation.
