In the latest Arsenal transfer news, the Gunners have agreed to sell Leandro Trossard to Besiktas on a permanent transfer in a broader plan to replenish the squad with fresh blood. This seemed to be a move that was already in the pipeline, as per The Sun’s report that claimed Trossard was in the crosshairs of the Turkish side and the Gunners were ready for it.
Now, this rumor has gone a notch higher with The Athletic confirming that an agreement has been reached. It is reported that Arsenal have agreed to a club-to-club deal worth €18m plus €2m in add-ons, scaling the deal to around €20m.
In this latest development, nothing much has been said about the personal terms, but it confirms that negotiations are underway.
Leandro Trossard, a Sacrificial Lamb
While the transfer is not complete, as there are personal terms to be agreed and the Belgian star is still on international duty with Belgium at the ongoing FIFA 2026 World Cup, Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, has already made up his mind.
Leandro Trossard is one of the players Arsenal have been keen on releasing, alongside Gabriel Martinelli. From the look of things, the biggest reason behind Trossard’s proposed departure is ultimately financial rather than tactical.
This sale could open the opportunity for Berta to bring in Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa and Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, a duo that will cost the Gunners an arm and a leg.
Arsenal will have to cough up to £130 million to lure Aston Villa to release Rogers, while PSG are looking at a figure around £116 million for Barcola. The sale of Trossard will go a long way in funding the double signing that Arteta is very keen on.
A Tough Decision for Arsenal
There’s no doubt Leandro Trossard has been an outstanding player since his arrival at the Emirates from Brighton in January 2023.
Whether he starts on the bench or comes on as a substitute, he has built a reputation for delivering when he is needed the most. His versatility has also been impressive as Arteta has deployed him across the frontline, from left, center, and right, and he has thrived even when under pressure. Among his best performances was last season when he scored the late winner Arsenal needed the most against West Ham, a goal that was decisive in the Gunners’ fight for the title that seemed elusive if they had shared the points.
It is for this reason that many Arsenal fans think Trossard is being treated unfairly, considering his top performances and the fact that he is still impressive at the World Cup.
But again, football is about evolution rather than sentiment. At 31 years, and of course with Berta looking into the future, it is the ideal time to cash in on the Belgian while he is still in demand.
What Leandro Trossard Transfer Means for Arsenal
As mentioned earlier, some quarters in the Arsenal family are not sure this is the right direction Berta is taking for several reasons.
Trossard has been instrumental in Arsenal’s successful campaign and still has some bullets he can shoot next season. The amount he will yield is also not substantial enough to force a transfer. This is also the same case for Martinelli, who is also facing the axe for the same reasons, financing the Barcoli and Rogers transfer.
For many, this looks like another gamble in the making. Remember, Arsenal just signed Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, but just a year later, there are rumors that Arsenal are looking to sell him for not meeting expectations.
While it is important to be ambitious during the transfer window, Arsenal should exercise caution before engaging in any move.
