Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Leandro Trossard from Brighton on a long-term contract, securing their first signing of the January transfer window. The Belgian international has signed on a deal worth roughly £21million with add-ons included, with the club hopeful he will be eligible for the clash with Manchester United on Sunday.
Trossard told the Arsenal club website on the move: "I’m really excited to get started, this is a big club and I’m ready to show the fans what I can do. Everyone has seen how well we’re doing already and I’m here to help achieve their dreams - including myself.
"I’m going to take it day by day, work hard and try to help the team to achieve their goals. [I want to] get better as well. I know the manager is a great coach and I hope to be involved in doing great things and getting better as a player in every aspect."
READ MORE: Leandro Trossard to Arsenal transfer latest: Edu talks, price tag revealed, agreement reached
Following the confirmation of the deal, Trossard was handed the No.19 squad number, though that in itself may have hinted at another transfer on the horizon. That's because that was currently held by club-record signing Nicolas Pepe, who is currently on-loan at French side OGC Nice.
The Ivorian has managed six goals and one assist in 16 appearances in Ligue 1 this season and following the failure to sign Mykhailo Mudryk, some fans touted the idea of a recall for the winger. That's even despite his own struggles during his time in the Premier League so far.
However, perhaps the decision to sign Trossard and then give him Pepe's shirt number shows exactly what is next for the once £72million man. With just one-year-and-a-half left on his contract at the Emirates Stadium, he could be the next deal on the agenda, with an exit on the cards.
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