English Premier League side Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno on a five-year deal, according to British media reports.

The German international is likely to be new manager Unai Emery's second acquisition after Swiss defender Stephan Lichtsteiner joined on a free transfer from Juventus earlier this month.

Leno, who was named in Joachim Loew's provisional World Cup squad but failed to make the final cut for Russia, kept 10 clean sheets in the Bundesliga last season and is seen as a long-term replacement for Petr Cech, who turned 36 last month.

The north London club will look to improve on their sixth-placed finish in long-time manager Arsene Wenger's last season at the helm and start the new campaign with a tricky home match against champions Manchester City in August.

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