Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno has no interest in joining Newcastle and will instead pursue a transfer back to Germany this summer, according to reports.
The 30-year-old has only made eight appearances in all competitions this season after losing No. 1 status to Aaron Ramsdale, who joined the Gunners from Sheffield United last summer. Leno has been at the Emirates since 2018, when he arrived from Bayer Leverkusen, and he has less than 18 months remaining on his contract.
The Daily Star reports Arsenal are willing to let the German depart at the end of the season and will listen to offers in the region of £5million to £10million. Newcastle have been linked with Leno but the player would prefer to return to his homeland, with Leverkusen said to be interested in re-signing him.
Leno is desperate to play regular football and his chances of doing so at Arsenal grew even slimmer in January, when the club bought Matt Turner from New England Revolution. The 27-year-old will arrive from the Major League Soccer side this summer and Mikel Arteta is believed to be willing to make him Ramsdale's understudy if Leno departs. Even though his future is uncertain, Leno drew praise from the Arsenal manager for the professionalism he has shown throughout his battle with Ramsdale.
"What you want to have is in every position players that are reliable and can perform, whether they've been playing recently or not," Arteta told reporters ahead of Monday night's Premier League clash at Crystal Palace. "In the goalkeeping position it's no different, that is why we bought Aaron, to get the standards higher, to bring different qualities, different ways of understanding and acting during matches, and different experiences.
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"With Bernd we have the capacity to play him [on Monday] and we know what we're going to get." Leno started Arsenal's first three league games of the season, which the North Londoners lost by a combined scoreline of 9-0, before Ramsdale wrestled first-choice status from him. He made his first top-flight appearance in over six months in the 1-0 victory at Aston Villa in March as Ramsdale had a minor injury.
The England international is expected to return to the starting XI against the Eagles having recommenced training in time for the fixture. Newcastle, meanwhile, appear to have turned their attention elsewhere as The Sun claims they are preparing a £20million bid for Brighton shot-stopper Robert Sanchez, while Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga is also on their radar ahead of the summer window.
