Arsenal are closing in on a stunning £48million double deal for Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno and Sampdoria midfielder Lucas Torreira, according to The Guardian.
The report from the media outlet suggests that Unai Emery has been keen to resolve both positions and after talks with the two players began last week, they are close to tying up transfers for the duo.
And should the German 26-year-old keeper arrive at the Emirates this summer for a £22million fee, it’s likely to spell the end of one of Petr Cech’s or David Ospina’s time in North London as the new Arsenal manager will not require all three keepers at the club particularly with the two current stoppers’ contracts due to come to an end next season.
Good move for Arsenal?
Cech is not and has not ever been the player that he was during his time at Chelsea.
The stopper, now 36, was culpable for a number of errors for Arsenal last season as his form came under the spotlight.
While Ospina has never really done anything wrong during his time with the Gunners, he has never been fancied or trusted by his previous manager, Arsene Wenger, or supporters.
Leno has been a mainstay in the Leverkusen net where his safe hands and accurate kicking displays have earnt him the admiration of the new Arsenal boss.
As for Torreira, there are not enough good things to say about the midfield destroyer who can potentially fill a space in the centre of the park with a player capable of harrying and terrorising the opposition like none they have had in a long time.
This Futbol verdict: 9/10
Likely to happen?
The Gunners need a new keeper and a combative midfield player which are areas in the side they will be rectifying if they can snap up the duo.
We can’t see any way that a deal for Leno will not happen now, but as for Torreira, there was a suggestion from BBC journalist David Ornstein on Twitter that a deal was still far from being confirmed which means there is plenty of time for other potential suitors to come in and show their interest as well.
This is Futbol verdict Leno: 9/10
This is Futbol verdict Torreira: 7/10