The agent of Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno has confirmed that Fulham are trying to prise the German away from the Emirates Stadium this summer.
Leno lost his place as Arsenal's number one to Aaron Ramsdale in the 2021-22 season and is expected to leave in the coming weeks after spending the majority of the campaign on the bench.
Newcastle United were previously linked with a swoop for the former Bayer Leverkusen man, but the Magpies have seemingly switched their attention to Manchester United's Dean Henderson.
Benfica have also been tipped to move for Leno, and a return to the Bundesliga has also been mooted for the 30-year-old, whose Arsenal contract expires in the summer of 2023.
However, with Leno said to be settled in London and keen to remain in the English capital, a recent report claimed that Fulham have also expressed an interest in signing him for next season.
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Leno's agent Joannis Koukoutrigas has now confirmed the Cottagers' interest in his client, but both parties are relaxed about the situation, and Koukoutrigas also believes that the German is the "clear number one" in North London.
"Fulham is trying hard to get Bernd. Very professionally. This is also true for some other clubs and shows his status. But as I said, for me he is the number one at Arsenal and we are therefore also relaxed," Koukoutrigas told Bild.
"He is a German national goalkeeper, has always performed well at Arsenal and is an absolute team player. For me personally, Bernd is also the clear number 1 at Arsenal. With all due respect to the competitors."
Leno has kept 37 clean sheets in 125 appearances for Arsenal since joining in the summer of 2018, winning one FA Cup and one Community Shield with the Gunners in that time.
However, the former Stuttgart youngster only pulled on the gloves on eight occasions in all tournaments last season, including four matches in the Premier League.
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Leno started Arsenal's opening three defeats to Brentford, Chelsea and Manchester City in the 2021-22 top-flight season before keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Aston Villa in March while Ramsdale was in the treatment room.
Ahead of Leno's expected exit, Arsenal are set to complete the signing of USA goalkeeper Matt Turner from New England Revolution after agreeing a deal with the MLS side back in January.
The Gunners will also seek to bolster their midfield and attacking ranks in the summer transfer window and are still thought to be in pole position to sign Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City.
Leicester City's Youri Tielemans has emerged as a prime midfield target for Mikel Arteta, who has supposedly been left angry at Arsenal chiefs over a lack of early activity.
Arsenal are supposedly insisting that all transfers are signed off by owners KSE, and as a result the Gunners boss is fearful of missing out on top targets such as Jesus.
Ben Knapton
