What Newcastle have ‘told Bernd Leno’ as Arsenal receive two new transfer enquiries

Newcastle have told want-away Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno they want him as their new No 1 this summer, according to reports from Germany. The Gunners are now looking to shift the former Bayer Leverkusen shot-stopper, who has lost his place in Mikel Arteta’s side this season to summer signing Aaron Ramsdale.

Now Leno is determined to embark on a new challenge this month in search of regular game time.

Since arriving from the Bundesliga under Unai Emery in 2018, Leno was deemed to be Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper.

But a number of errors and inconsistent performances saw Arteta and technical director Edu explore the signing of some additional competition.

The emergence of Emiliano Martinez proved to be an eye-opener after Leno suffered a knee injury at Brighton after Project Restart in June 2020.

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However, they have allegedly told Leno they would definitely want him in the summer. Arsenal have also received two enquiries from Spanish clubs.

Teams from the Bundesliga are also keen but a winter move back to Germany appears unlikely.

Newcastle are currently prioritising other signings over the capture of a new goalkeeper.

The Magpies are already well-stocked in that department with Martin Dubravka, Karl Darlow and Freddie Woodman.

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Speaking to Bild back in October, Leno hinted he would explore an exit this January when AC Milan were among those linked.

“London is very beautiful, Milan is not bad either and closer to my home in Stuttgart,” he said.

“But I’m not seriously dealing with that yet. I feel comfortable at Arsenal and in London.

“Only if nothing would change in my situation until winter, I would have to think: ‘What option do I have, how can it continue?’ But I concentrate on the work in training everything else I can not influence today.”