Arsenal reject Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad bid for Leandro Trossard after Raheem Sterling's arrival
Arsenal have rejected a last-minute bid from Al Ittihad for star striker Leandro Trossard, talkSPORT understands.
The Saudi Arabian team is looking to strengthen its attack and has made a final attempt for the Belgian striker before his window slams shut later on Monday.
But the Gunners immediately rejected their initial loan offer, which would have turned into an obligation to sign him for a £25m fee.
Al Ittihad are believed to have offered Trossard a four-year contract worth around £12.6m-a-year, which would be almost triple the £4.6m-a-year salary he currently receives.
Arsenal have no plans to part ways with the player, who never felt the need to embark on a new adventure in the Middle East.
Trossard, who still has two years left on his contract at the Emirateshas established himself as a key player since joining from Brighton in January 2023.
In 71 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners, he has contributed 19 goals and 12 assists.
But he has never been a sure starter, with the boss Mikel Arteta rotating it on the left wing with Gabriel Martinelli.
Entering his third season in north London, Trossard has been limited to just 29 Premier League starts.
And his frustration at a lack of minutes was evident when he came off the bench against Aston Villa last month to propel his side into the lead in an eventual 2-0 away win.
Just moments after coming on, he fired a low shot past Emiliani Martinez, where… refused to celebrateand fans were quick to point out that it was a message to Arteta.
His reaction came after having started the first two games of the new season's first division from the bench.
3
Arteta himself admitted that the player is 'upset' by his lack of a starting spot, saying: “When you're not picked there are certain ways of reacting.
“As for Leo, he's upset, he's upset because he's trying to show how good he is on the pitch. He's not upset because he's not playing.
“And that's a great quality. When you put him in the starting XI he does exactly the same thing and is a great example for the rest of the team.”
With the player already battling Martinelli for a starting spot, he is now in competition with Raheem Sterling following the loan arrival of the Chelsea player.
Had Arsenal allowed Trossard to leave, it would have left them incredibly weak in attack.
Trossard's versatility has seen him play in all three positions under Arteta.
And with Arsenal allowing striker Eddie Nketiah to join Crystal Palace and winger Reiss Nelson to leave on loan to Fulham, Arsenal knew they could not afford to lose any more forwards.
The Gunners are looking to compete on all four fronts both domestically and in Europe this season, and will have to play more games in the Champions League.
Arteta knows he must have a squad strong enough to cope with the demands, and losing Trossard would severely reduce his chances of winning a first league title since 2004.
Although they would have to wait until the window reopens in January to replace him, by which point they could be out of the title race and the Carabao Cup.
3
It was Trossard's goals in the second half of the 2023/24 campaign that kept Arsenal in the race, with five of his 17 goals last season coming in the last eight league games.
Trossard started Saturday's 1-1 draw with Brighton but was sacrificed after Declan Rice's red card saw Arsenal drop two points.
JOIN THE DUGOUT
Have your say on all things talkSPORT by joining 'THE DUGOUT' – our new panel of listeners.
Our aim is to take a deeper look at your perspectives and make sure talkSPORT is the best it can be. Your voice matters and we want to hear it!
Present your innovative ideas and participate in fun locker room polls, surveys and debates.
Just by joining, you'll be entered into a draw to win one of four £50 Amazon vouchers, and you'll be entered into another draw for every survey you complete afterwards.
To join 'The DUGOUT' panel, please Click here.
