Mikel Arteta moves swiftly to stop Arsenal star making big-money Saudi transfer

Arsenal are looking to retain Leandro Trossard as clubs from Saudi Arabia circle with the Gunners ready to underline their faith with a long-term deal for the Belgian

Arsenal have opened talks with Leandro Trossard as clubs from the Saudi Pro League circle for the Belgian. He’s proved to be a big hit since moving to the Emirates and Mikel Arteta wants to retain the player.

Trossard has come up with big moments since joining in January 2023 and his versatility has also been a huge plus. The north Londoners are ready to offer a new deal, which would run to 2029, reports the Daily Mail.

Arsenal last summer turned down a bid from Al Ittihad but clubs from the Saudi Pro League are understood to be willing to return with a fresh offer as their interest remains. This term Trossard has made 26 starts in the Premier League, which has seen him come up with eight goals and six assists. His current deal expires next summer, but there is a one-year extension clause to 2027.

Trossard is currently 30 so being offered a new four-year deal is a huge show of faith from the Emirates hierarchy. His high fitness levels was a major contributing factor in Arsenal issuing such a lengthy deal.

The club’s priority, after missing out on the Premier League title once again, will be on bolstering their frontline this summer. Injuries to key players has exposed the lack of depth, but even before that the team lacked a prolific No 9.

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That is one area where they’ve lost out to their rivals, who can rely on a goalscorer to consistently produce. Arsenal have been linked with the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak but Arteta has warned how difficult it is to land the right player.

Arteta said: “Do I have to make it more clear? In January it was clear or not? I told you because you were in the room I think many times and it was a very clear statement. The statement continues the same. I want the best team, the best player. If we have three goalscorers over 25, bring them in and we’re going to be a much better team. I think if you score over 90 goals you have a high, high probability of winning the Premier League.

“It doesn’t guarantee you, but you have a high probability if your defensive record is very good as well and very dependable as well against who and in which moment this striker, this winger in this case, has scored the goals and how many points is he contributing with his goals as well.”

Arsenal have also been linked with the likes of Nico Williams, who would add more threat out wide. Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi has been a long-term target and the Spanish midfielder is close to joining.

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