Bernd Leno representatives have had ‘no talks’ with Bayer Leverkusen

Arsenal have not told goalkeeper Bernd Leno that he has to leave the Premier League club at the end of the season.

The 30-year-old has made just eight appearances this season after losing the number one spot to Aaron Ramsdale.

However, according to journalist Florian Plettenberg, talk of a return to former club Bayer Leverkusen is premature.

Leno’s management have reportedly had ‘no talks’ with the Bundesliga club, but the goalie does have ‘several options’ this summer.

With less than 18 months remaining on his current contract, it would be no surprise to see Leno leave the Emirates Stadium at the end of the season.

Arsenal’s decision to bring in Matt Turner from New England Revolution this summer has given them a perfectly adequate back-up to Ramsdale.

Newcastle United were touted as a possible destination for Leno, with a fee of around £10 million likely to be enough to secure his services.

A return to Leverkusen would probably be more appealing, particularly with the club on track to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

While Newcastle would be able to hand Leno a lucrative salary, they cannot offer him the chance to play European football.

Leno would undoubtedly represent an upgrade on current Leverkusen goalie Lukas Hradecky, who has conceded 40 goals in 27 league games this term.

However, his hopes of securing a move back to Leverkusen could be dashed by the German club’s interest in Arminia Bielefeld’s Stefan Ortega.

The 29-year-old has also been linked with Bayern Munich but would be more likely to be a regular starter with Leverkusen.

Plettenberg recently claimed that Ortega was in negotiations with Leverkusen and wanted assurances he would be the number one choice.

He is eager to break into Germany’s squad and needs to play regularly if he is to fulfil his ambition.