Arsenal have reportedly agreed a fee with Brighton & Hove for Leandro Trossard. David Ornstein of The Athletic claims that the total fee, including add-ons, is in the $33 million range. Not including add-ons, the base transfer fee for the player will be about $25 million. The deal by the Gunners moved quickly, as news only broke about the negotiations surfaced early Thursday morning.
The Premier League leaders needed to act fairly quickly in their recruitment after missing out on Mykhailo Mudryk last week. Arsenal were negotiating a fee for the Ukrainian with Shakhtar Donetsk for quite some time. However, Chelsea swooped in and quickly agreed a fee for Mudryk potentially rising to $108 million.
Leandro Trossard gives Arsenal more options
Plan B for Arsenal doesn’t appear to be a bad one. Trossard is a proven Premier League player currently in the prime of his career. The 28-year-old has scored seven goals, while also adding three assists in 16 top flight matches so far this season. He also netted eight goals with the Seagulls last campaign as well.
Although perhaps not a marquee signing like Mudryk, the Belgium international gives the Gunners much-needed depth. Dynamic and versatile, Trossard can play on the left flank, as an attacking midfielder more centrally, and even as a number nine. Arsenal obviously have a very solid starting XI, but squad depth is a bit of an issue.
Star winger will benefit from Trossard signing
The Belgian can now fill in for players such as Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, and Gabriel Jesus/Eddie Nketiah. Trossard will most likely be utilized on the left flank for manager Mikel Arteta.
Martinelli, typically deployed in this position, has started every single league match during the current campaign. In fact, he’s played at least 70 minutes in all but one top flight match this season. The young Brazilian could benefit from a bit of a break at times.
The fairly economical move by Arsenal also potentially allows the club to spend more in midfield this summer. Recent reports have suggested that the Gunners are targeting Declan Rice during the summer window. A move for the star West Ham midfielder could cost around $95 million.
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