Leandro Trossard is stalling over signing the new contract that is being offered by Arsenal because he wants to keep his options open. Trossard has been continually linked with a move away from north London in the summer transfer window and the situation could come to a head soon.
The Belgian has been with Arsenal since a move from Brighton in January 2023 and has proven to be a useful utility player for Mikel Arteta. He has contributed 28 goals and 23 assists in 124 appearances across all competitions, but his future is currently up in the air.
Arsenal have been chasing new signings all summer and have brought in Viktor Gyokeres, Cristhian Mosquera, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard. But they could still sign another wide forward wanted by Arteta – and that is partly why Trossard is reluctant to show his hand yet
The Gunners are keen on a £60million deal for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, leaving Trossard’s status in the squad unclear, with competition already there in the form of new arrival Madueke, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri – and now potentially Max Dowman.
There had been a feeling that Arsenal would entertain offers for Trossard this summer, having previously received a bid from Al-Ittihad at the end of the 2024 summer transfer window. And the 30-year-old won’t put pen to paper on a contract that would improve his wages at Arsenal, but not extend his stay beyond 2027.
Trossard’s current contract is due to expire in June 2026, but Arsenal hold the option to extend it by a further 12 months. There has been interest from Turkey and Italy this summer, although nothing concrete has emerged yet.
Al-Ittihad’s offer last summer was to take Trossard on an initial loan deal, with the option to make it permanent for £25m. It was only rejected because it came too late in the window, allowing Arsenal no time to find a replacement.
It was suggested earlier this summer that Arsenal valued Trossard at around £17m, but he isn’t in the same position as fringe players like Oleksandr Zinchenko, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Fabio Vieira and Karl Hein, who are all on the transfer list.
Talks over a new contract for the forward were first raised in October, when Edu was still in charge as sporting director. But it is now Andrea Berta in charge at Arsenal and it remains to be seen how flexible he will be in the market.
