Bernd Leno closes in

Bernd Leno is close to finalising his protracted move to Fulham for £8million after Arsenal dropped their asking price for the goalkeeper.

Marco Silva wants to find a stable number one this summer for the Premier League season after switching between Paulo Gazzaniga and Marek Rodak for the Cottagers last year. 

The Gunners had been holding out for £12m for the Germany international but are ready to drop their price after the Cottagers began looking at other potential options. 

The German has entered the final 12 months of his deal at Arsenal, having been at the Emirates Stadium since 2018, and Mikel Arteta is now ready to part ways with the goalkeeper. 

Leno was the undisputed number one in his first three seasons and started the first three league matches of 2021-22, but then lost his place to Aaron Ramsdale and made only five more appearances in all competitions. 

Fulham have also asked about Barcelona keeper Neto, who is part of Xavi’s plans to offload seven more players during the summer transfer window.

Leno will be Fulham’s second recruit in a number of days after completing the signing of Shakhtar Donetsk winger Manor Solomon on a deal until June 2023.

Bernd Leno closes in

The Israel international had been linked with a move to Craven Cottage earlier in the transfer window, but a new FIFA rule that allows Ukraine-based foreign players to suspend their contracts complicated the deal.

Solomon has however exercised this option, and was confirmed as a Fulham player earlier today in a ‘Man of the Hour’ social media promotion.