Arsenal Reportedly Identify Bernd Leno as Long-Term Petr Cech Replacement

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno as the man to replace Petr Cech as their No. 1.

According to German outlet Bild (h/t John Cross of the Mirror), the Gunners face competition from Napoli for his signature as they look for Cech's successor, with a goalkeeper among their priorities this summer.

Leno could be available for as little as £22 million, as that is the buyout clause in his contract.

Cech, who will be 36 in May, has been in decline for some time, and his form has occasionally proved costly for Arsenal this season.

He took to Twitter to apologise after the Gunners' 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday:

Journalist Dale O'Donnell said in August 2017 that Leno "is among the best" goalkeepers around and would be a strong choice for a side in England's top flight:

Leno, who turned 26 on Sunday, is comfortable with the ball at his feet and is a strong distributor, while his impressive reflexes allow him to pull off some outstanding saves.

He's virtually ever-present between the sticks, too, having missed just two matches in all competitions since the start of the 2013-14 season. As the club's vice-captain, he frequently bears the responsibility of the armband if Lars Bender is absent.

However, he's some way behind compatriots Manuel Neuer and Marc-Andre ter Stegen and is perhaps held back from being a top stopper because of his tendency to make costly errors.

German football expert Archie Rhind-Tutt noted as much:

Leno would perhaps still be an upgrade on the declining Cech, and for £22 million, that could be quite good business in today's market.

The Gunners are a side in need of steel and resilience throughout their spine, and having an error-prone goalkeeper isn't likely to help in that regard.