Arsenal decide stance on selling Leandro Trossard as Saudis make surprise bid

Arsenal have reportedly said no to an offer that would see Leandro Trossard leave the club this summer for Saudi Arabia despite the Premier League transfer window already closing.

Trossard, who joined Arsenal in January 2023, was subject to an initial loan offer from Saudi Pro League outfit Al Ittihad, as per The Athletic.

It’s claimed that the bid was swiftly rejected by Arsenal, even though it included a £4.2million loan fee, with an obligation to buy next summer for a fee upwards of £17m.

The Gunners didn’t entertain the offer though, with Arsenal making it abundantly clear to the Saudi side Trossard isn’t available at any price this summer.

Al Ittihad are able to make an approach for the forward because the Saudi transfer window doesn’t shut until Monday evening, compared to the Premier League, which closed on Friday night.

However, the chance of Trossard leaving north London for pastures new remains slim, not least because the Belgian international boasts two years left on his current contract.

Signed from Brighton for £27m 18 months ago, Trossard has proved a valuable member of Mikel Arteta’s side, with the Arsenal boss keen to keep hold of him for the foreseeable future.

Trossard is a reliable source of goals, with the ex-Seagulls star having scored 19 times and assisted a further 12 in just over 70 appearances for the capital club.

Trossard has already had a point-winning impact on Arsenal’s current campaign, having come off the bench and scored during last month’s victory away to Aston Villa.

Commenting after the victory, the 29-year-old said: “I think everyone wants to start games and play games obviously then it’s up to the player how they respond.

“I always want to make an impact if it’s off the bench or as a starter. I think I’ve done my job today to help the team there’s not much more that I can do in that aspect.”

Whereas manager Arteta added: “First of all when you don’t get picked they are certain ways to react. He [Trossard] is upset but he is upset to show on the pitch how good he is, not upset and then come in and complain [he] wasn’t playing, that is a huge quality.

“The boys who unfortunately didn’t have the minutes are supporting the other ones and that’s exactly what we need.

“We have two great left wingers that play in that position and it’s always a challenge, but you know you will get that quality on certain and specific games. Today [vs Aston Villa] I decided to play Gabi [Martinelli] who had a good performance and after that we had to change the game, Trossard came on and made the difference so big credit to him.”

Arsenal return to Premier League action after the international break when they face rivals Tottenham Hotspur away from home.