Arsenal star delivers four-word verdict to set record straight on transfer talk

Arsenal rejected an approach from Roma to sign Leandro Trossard in the final week of the summer transfer window, just days before Mikel Arteta confirmed that he’d been handed a new contract

Arsenal star Leandro Trossard says that a move away during the summer transfer window was ‘never really an option’. Trossard, 30, was handed a new contract in August after being the subject of interest from across Europe.

It wasn’t an extension, as his previous deal already ran until June 2027, but his salary was bumped up as ‘recognition’ for his work in an Arsenal shirt. Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Fenerbahce were all linked with the Belgian over the course of the summer.

Roma also made an approach just before Trossard put pen to paper on his new contract, only for their interest to be rebuffed by Arsenal. The forward had no desire to leave and Mikel Arteta wanted him as part of his squad, as the Gunners chase their goal of winning the Premier League title this season.

It’s no surprise, then, that Trossard didn’t think much about leaving North London. “I’ve had some good weeks, both individually and with Arsenal,” the ex-Brighton star said ahead of Belgium’s World Cup qualifier against North Macedonia.

“I’m finally a fit footballer again, a player in top form. I’m very happy about that.”

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Asked whether a transfer was ever on the cards this summer, Trossard replied: “There are always rumours like that. Leaving was never really an option. I feel very good at Arsenal.

“At the beginning of the season I struggled a bit with an injury. I think those rumours were there because of the lack of minutes. I’ve been playing a lot the last few weeks, doing my thing and I feel good about that.”

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Arteta addressed Trossard’s new deal in August by saying: “That situation has been resolved in a really great way and I think he deserves recognition, and we are very happy to have him… It might be speculation. The good players always have options to go.

“Leo was very clear from the beginning that he wanted to go here, the club was very clear that they wanted Leo here, I was very clear that I wanted him here. At the end, good outcome.”

Arteta will be pleased to hear that Trossard has offered to play as a makeshift striker for Belgium, something which could come in handy for the Gunners given Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus’ absences. The 30-year-old could play as a false nine against North Macedonia given injuries to both Romelu Lukaku and Charles De Ketelaere.

“I’m always willing to play there. I’ve done it often enough at Arsenal,” Trossard explained. “That’s the manager’s decision. We have strikers in the squad here and I can’t say too much about it myself.”

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