Arsenal have agreed on a deal with Brighton for key attacker Leandro Trossard for £27 million, and he will sign a four-year deal at the Emirates.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Arsenal’s agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion for Leandro Trossard. The versatile attacker will join Mikel Arteta’s side on a long-term contract. The Gunners will pay £27 million, including add-ons for the Belgian international.
Arsenal have secured a key signing in Leandro Trossard after moving swiftly in the last 24 hours. The Gunners were in the market for a wide attacking option and had unsuccessfully chased Mykhaylo Mudryk since December. They were to rue their luck after Chelsea snuck in and hijacked the move.
Despite courting Arsenal for many weeks and publicly declaring his preference to join Arteta’s side, Mudryk did a U-turn to agree on a move to Chelsea. The decision came as a blow to the Gunners, who then switched their attention towards other targets.
Those included Moussa Diaby, although his colossal price tag may have pushed them away from any potential deal. Looking at the English market, they might have seen Trossard’s availability. Despite interest from Tottenham, Arsenal decided to pursue the versatile attacker.
Leandro Trossard to Arsenal, here we go! Full agreement reached between clubs w/Brighton for £27m — personal terms agreed. Exclusive news confirmed 🚨⚪️🔴 #AFC
Trossard will sign his Arsenal contract soon — medical tests will take place in London. Contracts to be prepared soon. pic.twitter.com/O1IrrAFkVo
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 19, 2023
The Gunners have now agreed on a deal with Brighton as things moved swiftly in the last 24 hours. The Seagulls are widely known for their hard negotiating skills. But in the Belgian’s case, they were happy to let him go for the right price.
Arsenal will pay a fee of £21 million plus another £6 million in add-ons. The move will cost the Gunners £27 million, and Trossard will sign a reported four-year deal at the Emirates. The north Londoners may even hold the option to extend his stay by a further season, but those are still unconfirmed reports.
Trossard has had a good season and was Brighton’s top scorer until now. He has managed seven strikes, including goals against Chelsea and Liverpool. The hat-trick at Anfield did catch the eye. But he does seem like the signing Arsenal wanted.
Moreover, in recent weeks, he has had a falling out with Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, with his agent pleading with the club to allow a departure. Arteta will be particularly pleased with the signing, as he could add quality depth to his forward line.
Arsenal have over-relied on Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli to operate in the wide areas. Trossard can play across all three positions of the front three while also featuring centrally for Brighton this season.
The Gunners will have to register him before Friday afternoon for Trossard to feature against Manchester United. But, for now, Arsenal supporters are likely to be happy with the signing ahead of the title challenge.