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Portuguese giants Benfica have identified Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno as a transfer target for this summer.
THE LOWDOWN: NO.2 GK
The German started the season as Mikel Arteta’s number one, getting the nod for the Gunners’ first three Premier League matches of the campaign.
However, his only minutes since then have come in a win over Aston Villa in March and in cup competitions, with August signing Aaron Ramsdale establishing himself as first choice. In that time, the north Londoners have gone from bottom of the table to fifth.
The Gunners have already signed a new goalkeeper in Matt Turner from MLS outfit New England Revolution ahead of the 2022/23 season, and he could potentially replace the 30-year-old as Ramsdale’s deputy.
With less than 18 months now remaining on his contract, Leno is valued at £9m by Transfermarkt and he could well be on the move for less than that figure.
THE LATEST: BENFICA TARGET
According to Italian-based Turkish transfer journalist Ekrem Konur, the German international goalkeeper is a reported transfer target for the Portuguese outfit this summer.
Benfica’s new manager Roger Schmidt is keen to sign Leno and the north London outfit are willing to let him go for £8.5m, Correio da Manha has reported.
Schmidt was appointed last week after consecutive seasons without a trophy for the Portuguese club.
He previously worked with Leno as manager of Bayer Leverkusen before the keeper’s departure for Arsenal in 2018 for £22.5m.
THE VERDICT: TIME FOR A MOVE?
Since he arrived in north London, the £9m-rated shot-stopper has made 125 appearances for Arsenal, and has rarely let the side down.
Indeed, when he came into the team against Aston Villa in March, over six months after his last Premier League game, he showed his class and influence by keeping a clean sheet in a hard-fought 1-0 win.
However, the nine-time German international is about to enter the final year of his contract, and with no talk of a contract extension, now might be the right time for Arsenal to cash in.
It is clear that Ramsdale is ahead of the 30-year-old in the Gunners pecking order, meaning that he has become surplus to requirements.
It would make sense for the north London club to offload the former Bayer Leverkusen man this summer and promote another goalkeeper from their youth team to be Ramsdale’s understudy, rather than risk losing Leno for free when his contract expires in 2023.
AND in other news, Arsenal make enquiry for £40.5m-rated international star, dubbed a “special talent”…
