Arsenal target Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper as Petr Cech's replacement
- Bernd Leno has been tipped to replace Petr Cech at Arsenal this summer
- The 26-year-old currently plays for German League side Bayer Leverkusen
- Meanwhile, the former Chelsea keeper has admitted that he cannot win titles for the Gunners anymore
Premier League strugglers, Arsenal, have reported found Petr Cech’s replacement in Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
The Gunners suffered their fourth straight defeat on Sunday, March 4, following their 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion at the American Express Community Stadium.
A result that further deepens their chances of finishing among the top four teams, thereby missing Champions League football the second time on the bounce next season.
Lewis Dunk opened scoring for the newly promoted side in the 7th minute, while Glenn Murray’s 26th minute goal doubled the hosts lead in the first half.
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Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 43rd minute goal was a mere consolation as it couldn’t salvage a point for the north Londoners in the game.
So, in a bid to fight their way back to the top four positions on the EPL log, the Emirates Stadium outfit will hope they can secure the Germany international’s signature this summer, but they will have to outbid Serie A side, Napoli to land the goalkeeper.
The 26-year-old according to Bleacher Reports stated that Leno could be available for as little as £22 million, as that is the buyout clause in his contract.
Current Gunners keeper, Cech will be 36 in May and his form is gradually winding down, as he has not been able to win matches for the north London club this season.
Having failed to help Arsene Wenger’s side avoid defeat in their last four games, the former Chelsea shotstopper took to Twitter to apologise after the Gunners' 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
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He said: "If you want to win a game away of home in the best league in the world your GK can’t concede 2 goals like I did today ... it’s simply not possible ... The team fought back but the damage was done."
However, Leno, who turned 26 on Sunday, has been described by BBC journalist as a player that is comfortable with the ball at his feet and is a strong distributor, while his impressive reflexes allow him to pull off some outstanding saves.
He is said to have good positioning sense in between the sticks, having missed just two games in all competitions since the start of the 2013-14 season, and tries to take responsibilities whenever Lars Bender, the captain isn't available.
The 26-year-old plays third fiddle to Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer and Barcelona goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the national team.
German football expert Archie Rhind-Tutt also said that Leno would perhaps still be an upgrade on the declining Cech, and for £22 million, that could be quite good business in today's market.
The Gunners are a side in need of steel and resilience throughout their spine, and having an error-prone goalkeeper isn't likely to help in that regard.
Leno has represented Germany at all age-grade levels before making his debut for the senior national team in 2015.
He joined Leverkusen in 2011 and has has featured for the Bundesliga side over 210 times. He was a member of the German team that won the 2017 FIFA Confederation Cup in Russia last year.
Source: Legit.ng
