Arsenal have reportedly turned down an offer worth £10 milion from Fulham for Bernd Leno, with the Gunners holding out for more.
According to CBS’s James Benge, Arsenal will not sell Bernd Leno for less than their valuation and have rejected an offer worth £10 million from Fulham. The Cottagers had submitted a bid worth £7 million plus £3 million in add-ons, with the Gunners holding out for more.
Arsenal have not conducted good business in recent years, when it comes to selling players. And they continue to struggle to offload out-of-favour stars deemed surplus to requirements. As a result, Mikel Arteta decided to fly out to the pre-season tour to the USA with a massive squad of first-teamers while leaving some promising youngsters back in England.
Arteta wanted to give every player a chance, and now that the tour is wrapped up, the players who do not fit in the plan are clear. As a result, Arsenal will need to drastically cut down on the 33-man squad they took abroad, with Bernd Leno one of the top candidates on the transfer list.
Fulham have been the primary contenders for the German stopper, having already made sufficient enquiries about his availability. Arsenal were thought to be wanting around £11 million before, but new stories suggest the Gunners value the keeper a lot higher.
One detail to add in here, the offer that Arsenal rejected was £7m up front with £3m in add ons. Situation hasn’t particularly changed in last week since this report but worth bearing in mind that both clubs are motivated to do this transfer. It can change quickly. https://t.co/CmJwkWAWnX
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) July 24, 2022
There were suggestions elsewhere the north Londoners would demand around £15 million from Fulham, as they are aware of the Cottagers’ spending power. However, Arsenal do not want to undervalue their valuations and continue to hold out for their asking price.
Fulham have already reached a verbal agreement with Leno over personal terms. However, Arsenal have turned down an offer worth £10 million from Fulham. The Cottagers put forth a bid with base fee of around £7 million plus £3 million in add-ons, which the north Londoners deem unacceptable.
Fulham have been searching for a new goalkeeper and have had eyes on several players, including Leno. Recently, they targetted Paris Saint-Germain’s Sergio Rico as an alternative to Leno, although it seems the out-of-favour Arsenal goalkeeper is their primary target.
Leno has tremendous experience at the top level, and despite becoming the second choice at the Emirates, his qualities are evident. The German international also has offers from other leagues, including the Bundesliga, although his personal preference is understood to be staying put in London, making Fulham the favourites for his signature.
Leno has a year left at Arsenal, and this is the only time the Gunners will be able to recoup some of the money they paid for the stopper back in 2018. Fulham are likely to return to the table, although it is uncertain if they would raise their existing offer.
Also Read: Summer Splash: Arsenal making the right moves, but exits pose challenge
As things stand, the Cottagers do not have competition from elsewhere for the Arsenal goalkeeper, who is keen to join them. However, in light of their recent spending on players, the Gunners ill ask for sufficient money for a player with an international pedigree.