Arsenal have held no significant talks with Bernd Leno over a contract renewal, and it’s likely he doesn’t stay for the long term.

Bernd Leno in training with Arsenal (Photo via Arsenal on Twitter)
Bernd Leno in training with Arsenal (Photo via Arsenal on Twitter)

The Athletic report that despite Bernd Leno’s contract with Arsenal expiring in 2023, there have been no significant talks about a renewal.

Both sides have reportedly accepted he’s unlikely to be at the club for the long term. With Arsenal attempting to build for the future, a change in goal was always going to come sooner rather than later.

Leno has lost his place in goal to Aaron Ramsdale since the start of September, with the 23-year-old keeping four clean sheets in his five appearances in all competitions. The Athletic have Ramsdale at fourth in the league for goals prevented this season.

Speaking to the German media recently, Leno suggested he didn’t have an obvious explanation for why he was dropped.

“There was no clear reason why I was out, but it had nothing to do with my performance,” Leno said. “He (Arteta) is the trainer, he decides. Of course, it’s difficult for me.”

But Arteta responded to these quotes in his latest press conference by insisting he made the situation very clear.

“I had a very clear conversation with him 48 hours before I was going to make the decision,” Arteta said. “Obviously any conversation I have with him is completely private and I’m not going to speak with any media about it.”

The German goalkeeper obviously wants to keep getting in his national team, and he doesn’t want his stock to drop ahead of a potential transfer next year. So he’ll hope he can win his spot back soon, regardless of whether he then stays or goes.