Arsenal bag cash windfall as Bernd Leno transfer clauses triggered to double initial fee

The German goalkeeper moved to Craven Cottage for an initial £3m last summer but the deal included performance-related add-ons, including a survival fee.

Fulham have 45 points and, while they have never been in danger of relegation and are on course for a top-half finish, are now mathematically safe.

Leno has proved one of the bargain signings of the season and has kept seven clean sheets.

Arsenal are also set to earn a further £1m based on his Premier League appearances, with the 31-year-old playing 32 times this season.

Another £2m will be due if Fulham stay up again next season, potentially taking the total transfer fee to a £8m.

After Leno impressed against Manchester City last weekend, he was praised by Fulham manager Marco Silva.

“[He is] extraordinary,” said Silva. “A top, top goalkeeper and, I keep repeating, in my opinion, he’s one of the best three goalkeepers in this competition.

“He is showing his quality every single game – games when he has more work to do, with the other team creating dangerous moments around our box, he is always there, and when you have the game under control and then a chance appears for the opposition, he is there as well.

“He’s been brilliant and the most important thing in a goalkeeper is being really consistent, and from the first match he played, against Brentford at home to now he’s been for sure one of the most consistent goalkeepers this season in the Premier League.”