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Bernd Leno reveals private talks with Shkodran Mustafi ahead of Arsenal transfer move

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Bernd Leno reveals private talks with Arsenal star ahead of £19m transfer move — Bernd Leno spoke to Shkodran Mustafi before joining Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Bernd Leno has revealed that he held discussions with Arsenal star Shkodran Mustafi before his move to the Emirates.

Arsenal announced that they had completed the signing of 26-year-old Leno from Bayer Leverkusen earlier this month for a reported fee of around £19million.

Unai Emery was determined to bring in competition for Petr Cech this summer and its understood Leno could take over from the Czech as the Gunners first-choice goalkeeper.

While Leno was not picked in Germanys squad for the World Cup, the shot-stopper is close with several members of Joachim Lows squad, including Mesut Ozil and Mustafi.

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I already know Musti and Mesut Ozil from the national team, plus Xhaka, Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan from the Bundesliga, he told Arsenal Player.

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I talked to Musti about Arsenal many months ago. He said its a fantastic club with a fantastic stadium and fantastic fans.

I watched games on the TV in Germany and yes, Arsenal is a fantastic club.

Ive known Musti for about 10 or 11 years. We grew up together in the youth national teams, the Under-17s through to the Under-21s.

Leno claimed that new head coach Emery convinced him to complete a move to north London.

Asked whether he had spoken to the Spaniard, Leno replied: Yes. Of course Arsene Wenger was always the coach of Arsenal but now its a new chapter for Arsenal.

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I spoke to him and he said to me that he thinks that Im a good goalkeeper and he wanted me to come to Arsenal.

So for me it was clear that the club and the coach want to sign me so Im happy that all people in this club said that Im a good goalkeeper and wanted to sign me.