Arsenal in summer transfer kitty boost as London rivals secure Premier League safety

Fulham securing their Premier League status for another season would not normally be a topic at the top of Arsenal’s list of concerns.

But the Cottagers’ 2-0 victory over West Ham in their last game, which ensured they remain in the top flight next season, means the Gunners now owe their London rivals £2million.

Goalkeeper Bernd Leno left Arsenal for Craven Cottage in an £8m deal in August 2022, with the deal also including performance-related add-ons including a survival fee.

As a result, Fulham only paid an initial £3 million to secure Leno’s services, before having to make their first payment of £2 million to the club to avoid the drop last season.

While the north Londoners are now set to receive the same amount after the Germany international helped ensure his side’s survival once again, there is still £1million left to claim from the Gunners.

That clause, which would round up the £8m deal, is contingent on league appearances, and one can only assume Fulham will have to call it quits given Leno has been virtually ever-present since joining his current club.

The former Bayer Leverkusen player made 36 league appearances during his debut campaign in west London as his side achieved a comfortable 12th place finish and has played every game so far this season.

And confirmation that Marco Silva’s side will compete in the top flight next season is the latest achievement for Leno during his hugely successful spell at Fulham. Silva signed a new long-term deal in December until the summer of 2027.

The 32-year-old goalkeeper has also recorded the second-most clean sheets in the league this season with nine, with only Arsenal’s David Raya keeping more with 12.

Leno will be even more pleased with his progress at Fulham given the difficult circumstances which led to his departure from Arsenal.

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After being the north London side’s first choice goalkeeper during his first three seasons for the club following his arrival in 2018, he then lost his place to current Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, after injuring his knee against Brighton in June 2020.

While Martinez then left for Villa Park at the end of the campaign, Leno’s return to the starting lineup was short-lived as manager Mikel Arteta replaced him with new signing Aaron Ramsdale ahead of the 2022 season/ 23.

Despite this setback, it is Leno who has had a better time on the pitch in recent times, with Ramsdale losing his place to new signing Raya, while the German has established himself in London.

And after Andreas Pereira’s brace against West Ham renewed Fulham’s Premier League status, Leno will now look to build on his strong start to life with the club by helping them to a top-half finish.