Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno will be up for transfer in the January window, according to a couple of reports in the last few days.

Bernd Leno during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London Copyright: Mark Pain
Bernd Leno during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London Copyright: Mark Pain

Eurosport report that Bernd Leno will be made available for transfer as the club look to enact their long-term vision for the club, with Aaron Ramsdale the preferred option for that plan.

The outlet claims Leno is unlikely to remain at Arsenal beyond this season, and the Gunners will be open to offers in January.

90min claim something similar, writing that though Arsenal are happy for Leno to stay, they won’t stop him leaving in January or the summer. They add that Leno has no interest in sitting on the bench until his contract expires.

If Leno did leave in January, Arsenal would be relying on Ramsdale to play number one and Karl Hein and Arthur Okonkwo to fill in as backups. Assuming they don’t sign anyone else.

90min report that the club are happy with Hein and Okonkwo as options until the end of the campaign.

It certainly wouldn’t be the worst situation. Hein is already playing regular games for Estonia, so he’s got at least some senior experience.

Both youth goalkeepers have recently signed new contracts, so it’s another positive for Arsenal’s long-term plan if they get some games.

But there’s obviously still a risk of ending up with Hein starting key league matches if Ramsdale got injured or sent off, and that would be a lot of pressure. Personally, I’d expect Arsenal to loan someone in if they sold Leno in January.

Leno returned to the Arsenal starting lineup to keep a clean sheet in the League Cup against AFC Wimbledon on Wednesday.