Fulham 'agree £8m deal for Arsenal's Bernd Leno'

Arsenal and Fulham have finally reached an agreement for the transfer of Bernd Leno for £8m, according to a report.

The Germany international held his place as Gunners number one for three years and successfully fended off competition from Emiliano Martinez after the latter's FA Cup heroics.

Martinez left for Aston Villa as Leno remained Arsenal's number one for the 2020-21 season, but he was demoted down to the bench by Aaron Ramsdale last season.

Leno has been involved for Arsenal in pre-season but would seemingly enter the campaign as Mikel Arteta's third choice behind new arrival Matt Turner and Ramsdale.

The 30-year-old is also set to become a free agent in under 12 months' time and is pining for regular game time ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

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A return to Germany or switch to Newcastle United was mooted for Leno, but Fulham quickly emerged as the top contenders for his signature.

According to The Athletic, an agreement has now been reached between the two capital clubs, and Leno will link up with the newly-promoted side for an £8m fee.

The report adds that the former Bayer Leverkusen man has already agreed personal terms with the Cottagers and will undergo his medical in the coming days.

Arsenal were initially believed to have been holding out for at least £10m for the shot-stopper, but the Gunners eventually lowered their asking price.

Leno prepares to leave Arsenal after keeping 37 clean sheets in 125 matches for the club since arriving in a £22.5m deal in the summer of 2018.

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Leno conceded nine goals in Arsenal's first three Premier League games last term against Brentford, Chelsea and Manchester City and made only one more top-flight appearance keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Aston Villa in March.

The German has been a part of an FA Cup and Community Shield-winning squad during his time at the Emirates, although Martinez played in both finals while he recovered from a knee injury.

Leno's departure would see him follow the likes of Dan Ballard, Alexandre Lacazette, Dinos Mavropanos, Matteo Guendouzi, Zak Swanson and Omari Hutchinson out of Arsenal in the current transfer window, while Nuno Tavares and Auston Trusty have left on loan.

More exits are being anticipated in the coming weeks, as Nicolas Pepe, Hector Bellerin, Lucas Torreira and Pablo Mari are seemingly not in Arteta's plans for the new season.

Fulham have already signed Kevin Mbabu, Andreas Pereira and Joao Palhinha this summer, as Marco Silva seeks to avoid an immediate relegation back down to the Championship with the Cottagers.