ARSENAL keeper Bernd Leno is reportedly wanted by Inter Milan on a free transfer next summer.
The Germany star, 29, has less than a year left on his Gunners contract and his “unwillingness” to sign an extension hints at a possible 2022 exit, according to a football.london report.
Leno was firmly established as Mikel Arteta’s No 1 after the sale of Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez, 29, to Aston Villa last year.
He has started all three Prem games for Arsenal so far this season and also featured for Germany this week in a 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Liechtenstein in Hansi Flick’s first game in charge.
Those Gunners appearances have all been defeats however, and he may soon find his position under threat after the £24million signing of Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United last month.
Ramsdale, 23, started and kept a clean sheet in Arsenal’s only win so far this season – a 6-0 Carabao Cup demolition of West Brom.
And it seems cash-strapped Inter may be waiting in the wings to capitalise on the situation with Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport reporting the Serie A champions are after a free signing.
The report states they are also and keeping tabs on Ajax’s Andre Onana.
BETTING SPECIAL – GET 20/1 ON ENGLAND TO BEAT ANDORRA
If Leno does leave at the end of his contract it would mean the Gunners will see no return on the £22m they paid Bayer Leverkusen for him three years ago.
Leno was rumoured to be among the players who were looking for an exit this summer, but a move never materialised.
He denied those reports in an interview with German TV channel Sport1 in which he said: “I don’t want to flee here, I feel good and want to be successful again with Arsenal.”
Leno did say he might want to move away some time in the future, though, and added: “So far I’ve played for two clubs.
“Maybe I’ll get the urge to play in another league again. Maybe in the south. But there is time.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
