Arsenal have reportedly agreed a fee with Brighton & Hove for Leandro Trossard. The Athletic’s David Ornstein claims 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 approximately $25 million. The Gunners’ deal moved quickly, as news of the negotiations only broke early Thursday morning.
The Premier League leaders needed to act fairly quickly on his signing after missing out on Mykhailo Mudryk last week. Arsenal have been negotiating a price for the Ukrainian with Shakhtar Donetsk for quite some time. However, Chelsea stepped in and quickly agreed a fee for Mudryk that could be as high as $108 million.
Leandro Trossard gives Arsenal more options
Plan B for Arsenal does not seem to be bad. Trossard is a proven Premier League player currently in the prime of his career. The 28-year-old has scored seven goals and added three assists in 16 top flight games so far this season. He also scored eight goals for the Seagulls last season.
While 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 wing, as an attacking midfielder more in the middle, and even as a nine. Arsenal obviously have a very solid starting XI, but the depth of the squad is an issue.
The star winger will benefit from the signing of Trossard
The Belgian can now replace the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus/Eddie Nketiah. Trossard will most likely be used on the left flank for manager Mikel Arteta.
Martinelli, typically deployed in this position, has started every league game this season. In fact, he has played at least 70 minutes in all but one of his top-flight games this season. The Brazilian youngster could benefit from a little rest on occasion.
Arsenal’s fairly cheap move also potentially allows the club to spend more in midfield this summer. Recent reports have suggested that the Gunners target Declan Rice during the summer window. A move for the star West Ham midfielder could cost around $95m.
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