Arsenal have reached agreement with Brighton and Hove Albion to sign Leandro Trossard for £27m. The south-coast club had been looking for £30m, with 10% of any fee to go to Genk, but have settled for a shade less than that amount.
Arsenal are actively looking for attacking reinforcements to deepen their title challenge having missed out on Mikhailo Mudryk, and Brighton are keen to sell due to manager Roberto De Zerbi no longer wishing to use the forward.
Trossard's current contract runs out in the summer, albeit with an option to extend, which is why his price is relatively low for a recently turned 28-year-old with proven Premier League experience. Brighton did not want to let him go too cheaply though.
His representatives have been pushing for a deal all window and, while there was interest from a series of clubs, Arsenal represented by far the best option. Trossard is naturally keen on the move and pushing for it, with that aided by a good relationship between the clubs.
The Belgian international had been in fine form this season with seven goals in 16 games, before a breakdown in his relationship with De Zerbi.
"Recently, he didn’t give 100 per cent in training and on matchday, that’s it on my side," the Brighton manager said. "Football deserves respect. I don’t have to apologise for anything. Maybe his agent fancies selling him for a lower transfer fee… surely, Trossard didn’t tell me the truth."
