Arsenal star Bernd Leno is reportedly keen on securing a late January move to Newcastle United, who are on the hunt for a new goalkeeper.
According to Christian Falk, Newcastle United have expressed the desire to sign Bernd Leno in the remaining days of the winter transfer window. It appears the Premier League outfit is keen on shoring up their options between the sticks amid uncertainty over the future of Freddie Woodman and co.
Newcastle were said to be lining up a move for Leno earlier in the week, with Falk now claiming that the Arsenal goalkeeper himself is keen on joining the ranks at St. James’ Park, as he looks to redeem himself after a disappointing first half of the season.
The German goalkeeper has fallen behind new signing Aaron Ramsdale in the pecking order at Arsenal. At the halfway point of the campaign, the goalkeeper has racked up only three appearances in the Premier League, largely being restricted to outings in cup competitions. And after the club’s elimination from FA Cup and Carabao Cup, the player might not make a single appearance during the remainder of the season.
Leno’s lack of game-time at the Emirates has understandably left him frustrated, with the goalkeeper looking to redeem himself with a mid-season move to Newcastle United.
While certainly not a priority, the Magpies are looking for a new goalkeeper in January in an attempt to add more competition for Martin Dubravka. Newcastle United already boast the services of two quality backup goalkeepers in the form of Freddie Woodman and Karl Darlow, but it appears neither of them has any future at St. James’ Park, as Eddie Howe looks to rebuild the squad in the summer.
The addition of Arsenal outcast Leno, to that end, could help Newcastle find themselves a quality goalkeeper with a wealth of experience at the highest level of football. The German international is indeed quite an established shot-stopper, having made a combined total of 333 appearances during his time in the Premier League and the Bundesliga, respectively.
The former Bayer Leverkusen starlet is unlikely to cost a fortune either, with his current contract at the Emirates expiring in less than 18 months. However, with Arsenal having no real alternative for Ramsdale in goal, it remains to be seen whether they will be keen on offloading Leno midway through the campaign. Perhaps a lot could depend on their reported pursuit of American international Matt Turner as we head towards the final phase of the winter transfer window.