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Leandro Trossard’s agent says Arsenal have confirmed their interest in his client

KRC Genk winger Leandro Trossard is an Arsenal target in the upcoming transfer windows, according to comments by agent Josy Comhair this week.

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Genk's Leandro Trossard kicks the ball and scores a goal during the UEFA Europa League Group I first-leg football match between KRC Genk and Malmo FF on September 20, 2018, in Genk. (Photo by YORICK JANSENS / Belga / AFP / Getty Images)
Genk’s Leandro Trossard kicks the ball and scores a goal during the UEFA Europa League Group I first-leg football match between KRC Genk and Malmo FF on September 20, 2018, in Genk. (Photo by YORICK JANSENS / Belga / AFP / Getty Images)

Reports this week suggested Arsenal are interested in bringing Genk winger Trossard to the Emirates Stadium in January. It was no surprise, considering the form the forward is in this season, with 15 goals and four assists in just 18 appearances, including two goals in two games in Genk’s Europa League campaign so far.

As a result, Belgian outlet Sporza decided to get in touch with Trossard’s agent Josy Comhair and find out how much truth there was to the links.

“I contacted representatives from Arsenal and Tottenham,” Comhair responded (translated by Sport Witness). “At Spurs, nobody wanted to confirm that Trossard is an option, but Arsenal did. They told me Leandro has a very interesting profile for them and that they’ve been following him since August.

“They also added it was a good choice to stay at Genk for another year. They ended the phone call with ‘They are keeping a close eye on him’.”

For the record, Genk manager Philippe Clement insists that he’s planning to hold onto the winger in January unless a club come in with a huge bid. Trossard, therefore, seems a much more realistic option for a summer move rather than a January one.

However, if Arsenal are willing to pay the money, Trossard could really add something to Unai Emery’s squad. The current squad is crying out for a natural winger or two, to allow Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to return to the middle and to give Arsenal more control in the wide areas.

Adding a winger who fits those requirements and can also score goals would be ideal, but we’ll see.

Click ‘Next’ for five other wingers linked with a move to Arsenal

Nicolas Pepe

Lille's Ivorian forward Nicolas Pepe celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Amiens and Lille at the Licorne stadium in Amiens, northern France, on August 26, 2018. (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI / AFP) (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/AFP/Getty Images)
Lille’s Ivorian forward Nicolas Pepe celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Amiens and Lille at the Licorne stadium in Amiens, northern France, on August 26, 2018. (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI / AFP / Getty Images)
  • Age: 23
  • Position: Right Winger
  • Contract until: 2022
  • Club: LOSC Lille
  • Estimated transfer value: £22.5m

The media have linked Pepe to Arsenal pretty heavily in recent weeks and months. Those links have only got stronger since the season got underway, with the winger scoring eight goals, providing six assists and winning multiple penalties for his side as well, in 14 appearances so far.

With Danny Welbeck’s injury, Arsenal are reportedly being forced to ‘rethink’ their January transfer plans, and they could move for Pepe sooner rather than later. The player himself recently admitted it was ‘good’ to be linked to the likes of the Gunners, Bayern and Dortmund.

The spanner in the works is that Pepe’s incredible start to the season has made his club very hesitant to sell. Lille president Gerard Lopez and vice-president Marc Ingla have both spoken publicly to say that, in principle, they don’t want to sell before the summer.

We’ll see if Arsenal can change their minds but, for now, let’s look at some alternative options.

Click ‘Next’ for more Arsenal-linked wingers ahead of the January window

Cengiz Under

NAPLES, ITALY - MARCH 03: Cengiz Under of AS Roma in action during the serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma - Serie A at Stadio San Paolo on March 3, 2018 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
NAPLES, ITALY – MARCH 03: Cengiz Under of AS Roma in action during the serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma – Serie A at Stadio San Paolo on March 3, 2018 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
  • Age: 21
  • Position: Right Winger
  • Contract until: 2022
  • Club: AS Roma
  • Estimated transfer value: £24.3m

Under has made a great start to the season, scoring three goals and assisting five in 14 appearances. There have been multiple conflicting reports about Arsenal lodging bids for the player in the last few months, so it’s hard to know the truth of the matter. It definitely seems like there is at least some interest from the Gunners though.

Another recent report from ESPN suggested that Under would be keen on a Premier League transfer when he leaves Roma. Arsenal aren’t the only club mentioned in their story though, with Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur linked. Plus, they think the 21-year-old would be against a January move as it stands.

As mentioned in previous reports on Under, Roma are looking to get the player tied down to a new contract. The Serie A side want to include a buyout clause in the deal worth around £40-50m.

That wouldn’t put the Turkish international completely out of Arsenal’s price range, considering the club have spent more than £40m on the likes of Mesut Özil, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang recently. Perhaps the Gunners could look to sign him as soon as possible before the Italians get him tied down though. We’ll see.

Click ‘Next’ for more Arsenal-linked wingers ahead of the January window

Malcom

FC-Barcelona-v-Boca-Juniors-Joan-Gamper-Trophy-1540025849
BARCELONA, SPAIN – AUGUST 15: Malcom of FC Barcelona runs with the ball during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and Boca Juniors at Camp Nou on August 15, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
  • Age: 21
  • Position: Right Winger
  • Contract until: 2023
  • Club: FC Barcelona
  • Estimated transfer value: £40.5m

It’s been difficult to write an article about Arsenal-linked wingers in the last year without mentioning Malcom at some stage.

Back in January, when Malcom was still playing for Bordeaux, the media heavily linked both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to the Brazilian. Then in the summer, the same links reappeared again, but the player ended up moving to FC Barcelona instead.

You’d think that would be the end of it, but Malcom’s limited game time since his move means that’s not the case.

After playing just 25 minutes of football by late October, Barcelona chief executive Oscar Grau was reportedly under the impression that the player would be sold. There were also stories in the Spanish media suggesting the 21-year-old had already requested a transfer assuming his game time wouldn’t improve.

However, the winger did then get into the Barcelona team, making a start in the cup and scoring in a brief Champions League appearance. Unfortunately, that was followed by an early substitution after just 57 minutes in his first league start, whilst 2-0 down to Real Betis.

We’ll have to wait and see if that damages his future chances at the club. If it does, it seems like Arsenal will be waiting.

Click ‘Next’ for more Arsenal-linked wingers ahead of the January window

Ismaila Sarr

Ismaila Sarr
SAMARA, RUSSIA – JUNE 28: Ismaila Sarr of Senegal reacts during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Senegal and Colombia at Samara Arena on June 28, 2018 in Samara, Russia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
  • Age: 20
  • Position: Left Winger
  • Contract until: 2021
  • Club: Stade Rennais
  • Estimated transfer value: £12.6m

Sarr is listed as a left winger on Transfermarkt, but he’s played all over the front line for Stade Rennais this season. From centre-forward to left-wing, right-wing, left-midfield and right-midfield. He’s scored in each of those positions as well, bar left-midfield, so he’s clearly able to adapt well to what the team needs from him.

Overall, Sarr has five goals and one assist in 16 appearances for a bottom half Ligue 1 side, which is not a bad record at all. No wonder a report from Mirror Football last month suggested Sven Mislintat already has the winger in his sights.

The 20-year-old Senegal star impressed in Russia during the summer’s World Cup and, as a result, has brought the scouts of some of the world’s biggest clubs to his door. In addition to ArsenalInter Milan are also said to be interested in the player.

Sarr’s strengths are his dribbling and through balls, and he wins a lot of free-kicks for his side, which is the kind of winger Arsenal could do with. He’s a bit younger and a bit cheaper than some of the alternatives on this list, so he could be a more realistic option this January.

Click ‘Next’ for more Arsenal-linked wingers ahead of the January window

Nana Ampomah

Japan-v-Ghana-International-Friendly-1539859767
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – MAY 30: Gotoku Sakai of Japan and Nana Opoku Ampomah of Ghana compete for the ball during the international friendly match between Japan and Ghana at Nissan Stadium on May 30, 2018 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)
  • Age: 22
  • Position: Left Winger
  • Contract until: 2021
  • Club: Waasland-Beveren
  • Estimated transfer value: £1.35m

Ampomah plays for Waasland-Beveren in the Belgian Pro League, so he’s probably not a player you’ve heard much about before.

The 22-year-old has made a great start to the season though, with five goals and three assists in 14 matches, including against the big names in the country like an assist against Club Brugge and a brace against league-leaders Genk.

The winger recently revealed his desire to play for Arsenal, telling the media he likes the Gunners for their “style of playing” and followed the club growing up as a child. He said it would be “a dream come true” to join Arsenal.

Over the summer, Ampomah was even called up for his country, Ghana, as he continues his individual progress. It would still be a bit of a jump for Ampomah to get a transfer to Arsenal after one good run of form, but we’ll see what Sven Mislintat’s team make of him.

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