‘I wanted to stay in the Premier League’ – Bernd Leno opens up on Arsenal exit

Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno has opened up on his move across London after leaving Arsenal last summer.

Having spent four years at the Emirates Stadium, Leno found himself playing second fiddle to Aaron Ramsdale and soon completed a £3 million move to Fulham.

The transfer fee could rise to £8m if certain conditions are met, but the 31-year-old goalkeeper believes his current club got a good deal.

“I have to say it’s a bargain,” Leno told Standard Sport. “It’s very, very cheap – especially in the Premier League. I am not £3m – I’m probably worth a little bit more. Otherwise, I would be a very bad player!”

Leno did not have a perfect ending to his Arsenal career. However, the former Bayer Leverkusen stopper says he has no ill feelings towards his former club after rebuilding his career at Craven Cottage.

“I don’t have toxic or bad energy for Arsenal,” he continued. “It didn’t end in the perfect way, but my reception at the Emirates was really good.

“It was clear for me, I wanted to stay in the Premier League. It’s the best league in the world by far – and London life, I really love it here.”

Leno has been a key member of Marco Silva’s side since his arrival. He immediately established himself as the number one shot-stopper.

The German has made 23 appearances, and his seven clean sheets have been pivotal to Fulham’s improbable push for Europe this term.

The Cottagers have consistently punched above their weight this season. They are currently seventh in the table, six points off fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Fulham recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over Leeds United in the FA Cup fifth round, setting up a quarter-final tie with Manchester United.

However, they have consecutive London derbies before then. The Cottagers travel to face Brentford in a must-win three-pointer, especially with a mouth-watering clash with the league leaders Arsenal coming after that.

Leno has arguably been Fulham’s signing of the season, and the German will need to be at his best in the tricky west London derby – a win will see them close the gap with Spurs to three points.