Bernd Leno is looking more and more likely to leave Bayer Leverkusen for Arsenal, after his current club announced the signing of a new goalkeeper this week.

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Leverkusen welcomed Lukas Hradecky to the club on Wednesday, with the ‘keeper signing a five-year deal to join the Bundesliga side. It’s likely they guaranteed the 28-year-old first-team football, considering he was already starting every game for fellow German side Eintracht Frankfurt in 2017/18.

https://twitter.com/bayer04_en/status/999217463786135553

The Irish Mirror call this a ‘breakthrough’ for Arsenal, as the North London club are reportedly targeting current first-choice Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno. The Gunners aren’t the only team in the mix though, as Atletico Madrid are also apparently in the race.

Reports over the last few months suggest Sven Mislintat is really pushing a move for the 26-year-old. The head of recruitment reportedly convinced Arsene Wenger that Leno was the best option to replace Cech. Now he’ll have to do the same with Unai Emery.

In the meantime, Leno will prepare to travel to the World Cup with Germany. He’s in Joachim Low’s 27-man provisional squad, and likely to make the final 23. Manuel Neuer and Marc-Andre ter Stegen provide tough competition, but I’d expect him to have priority over Kevin Trapp based on this season.

If a deal isn’t done by June 14, we’ll probably have to wait until the end of the tournament in mid-July for any progress.

For the other options on Mislintat’s shortlist this summer, click ‘Next’

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