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Newcastle: Pete O’Rourke says Magpies may consider Bernd Leno
Newcastle United could make an opportunistic move for Arsenal’s Bernd Leno, Pete O’Rourke has told GiveMeSport.
The lowdown
The German started the season as Mikel Arteta’s number one, getting the nod for the Gunners’ first three Premier League matches of the campaign.
However, his only minutes since then have come in the cup competitions, with August signing Aaron Ramsdale establishing himself as first choice. In that time, the north Londoners have gone from bottom of the table to fourth, on course for a return to the Champions League from next term.
Arsenal have already signed a new goalkeeper in Matt Turner from MLS outfit New England Revolution ahead of the 2022/23 season, and he could potentially replace the 30-year-old as Ramsdale’s deputy. With less than 18 months now remaining on his contract, Leno is valued at £14.4m by Transfermarkt.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle were ‘interested’ in January but couldn’t reach an agreement, adding that the player is ‘gonna leave‘ when the summer transfer window opens.
The latest
O’Rourke believes that Leno will be assessing potential routes out of the Emirates Stadium, which may duly alert Newcastle.
The journalist told GiveMeSport: “I think that at Arsenal he’s well down the pecking order behind Aaron Ramsdale, so I think Leno would be interested in a move away from the Emirates Stadium, so that might be something they look at.”
The verdict
Do Newcastle need an upgrade on Martin Dubravka? Perhaps not.
Data from FBRef shows that the Slovakian has the third-best shot-stopping record in the Premier League this season, ‘preventing’ 4.7 goals (only Manchester United’s David de Gea and Wolves’ Jose Sa have performed better in that regard).
While Leno, who finished second in Arsenal’s player of the season vote in 2019/20, could be a strong signing, it perhaps isn’t a necessary one for the Magpies. Indeed, the German goalkeeper might be wary of moving to St James’ Park given the strength of competition that Dubravka would provide.
In other news, Newcastle are eyeing up a summer move for this Premier League midfielder
