Arsenal set for seven-figure windfall to bolster transfer warchest… thanks to clever clause in forgotten star’s deal

ARSENAL’S transfer fund is set to be bolstered by a seven-figure sum thanks to a crafty clause regarding one of their forgotten stars.

Goalkeeper Bernd Leno, 31, left the Emirates last summer for Fulham for an initial £3million.

However, that deal also included a number of performance-related add-ons.

And one of those was a Premier League survival fee for the then newly-promoted West London outfit.

Fulham have impressed on their top-fight return and are sitting comfortably in the top half of the table on 45 points.

And this week it was confirmed that they are mathematically safe from the drop.

Now Arsenal are set to reap the reward with a further £1m due to the survival clause.

Leno, who has kept seven clean sheets, has played 32 times for Fulham this term.

And that also means that a further £1m is also due in the Arsenal bank account based on his appearances.

That will take the fee paid by Fulham to £5m – but even more could be coming the Gunners’ way in 12 months time.

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That is because they will also be due a further £2m, taking the total package to £8m, if Fulham survive again next season.

Cottagers boss Marco Silva will view that as money well spent after he heaped praise on the German star after his performance against Fulham last week.

He said: “Extraordinary. A top, top goalkeeper and, I keep repeating, in my opinion, he’s one of the best three goalkeepers in this competition.

“He is showing his quality every single game – games when he has more work to do, with the other team creating dangerous moments around our box, he is always there, and when you have the game under control and then a chance appears for the opposition, he is there as well.

“He’s been brilliant and the most important thing in a goalkeeper is being really consistent, and from the first match he played, against Brentford at home to now he’s been for sure one of the most consistent goalkeepers this season in the Premier League.”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk