Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Leandro Trossard from Brighton, having already agreed on personal terms with the winger.
On Thursday morning, Fabrizio Romano broke the news that Arsenal had opened talks to sign Leandro Trossard from Brighton, with the Gunners readying an official bid for a permanent move.
Romano added that personal terms were already agreed on a long-term contract, and talks would continue to get the deal done soon.
Less than an hour later, Romano posted a new update that talks were already “very advanced”, with Arsenal prepared to close the deal in the coming hours and things progressing fast.
Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail reports that the fee will be in the region of £20m, with Trossard’s deal expiring in the summer but Brighton holding an option to extend to 2024. Goal also report this same £20m figure.
David Ornstein confirms for The Athletic that Arsenal are working on a deal to sign Trossard, though he denies they’ve reached an agreement just yet.
Ornstein claims Trossard is among the candidates Arsenal are considering this month as alternatives to Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Other Arsenal-focused reporters have since confirmed the Gunners’ talks for Trossard, with James Benge, Simon Collings, and Charlie Parker-Turner among those writing that talks are on and the player is keen.
Brighton are unlikely to block Trossard’s transfer, given his recent fall-out with manager Roberto De Zerbi. The suggestion was that the player’s agent was pushing for a transfer, and it looks as though he’s going to get one.
Arsenal have a long-standing interest in Trossard, having initially tried to sign him before he even joined Brighton.
The player’s agent confirmed the interest was genuine, but he believed the best move for the winger’s career was to go to Brighton first, and then a club like Arsenal later.
“I had several conversations with Arsenal,” Josy Comhair said. “They came to Belgium four times. I’ll give you a note: most players would have chosen Arsenal.
“But what would have happened if Leandro didn’t get to play? Then there is only one way out: to take a step back.
“So, we turned it around: if he does well at Brighton, he doesn’t have to back down, he can take a step forward. Didn’t we get it right?”
Trossard has 10 goal contributions (seven goals, three assists) in 16 Premier League appearances this season, but he’s yet to feature for Brighton in 2023.
The 28-year-old is also a Belgium international, making 10 appearances for his country in 2022 – scoring three goals and assisting two.