Saudi Arabia’s Al Diriyah have made an offer of £17.2m for Leandro Trossard.
The newly promoted and ambitious Saudi Professional League is aiming to reach the top flight by securing high-profile talent directly from the upper echelons of European football.
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Arsenal receive offer from Saudi Arabia for Leandro Trossard
According to a report in Belgian outlet Het Veran van Limburg, Al Diryah have formally submitted a bid of £17.2 million for the 31-year-old winger.
In addition to offering the Gunners a respectable package, the Middle Eastern club is using all financial means to persuade the player himself.
They are reportedly willing to hand the veteran attacker a staggering salary package worth £8.6m (about €10m take-home pay) a year to lead the project in Saudi Arabia.
The Belgian international has been a highly reliable and key addition to Mikel Arteta’s squad since completing his move from Brighton & Hove Albion three years ago.
Trossard’s versatility and talent for scoring crucial goals off the bench underpinned Arsenal’s competitive domestic campaign and deep expansion on the continent.
However, despite receiving a well-deserved pay rise at the Emirates Stadium last summer, crucially his contract was not renewed beyond its original June 2027 expiration date.
Trossard expected to leave Arsenal this summer
With Trossard approaching his 32nd birthday in December and entering the final stages of his contract, the north Londoner’s ranks have a big decision to make.
It is increasingly likely that Arsenal will choose to capitalize on his services during this period.
Letting him go now will allow the Premier League club to fully recoup the majority of the fee they originally paid Brighton in January 2023.
Since joining the Gunners, the Belgian has scored 36 goals and assisted a further 34 in 174 games across all competitions.
Arsenal looking to sign new attacker
Taking Trossard off the books will give Arteta important financial space as he looks to overhaul his attacking side and rejuvenate it with a fresh profile.
Trossard is currently concentrating on international duty with Belgium, but the immense financial attractiveness of the offer from Saudi Arabia means a major decision about his future is on the horizon.
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Arsenal have been linked with signing an attacker, with Julian Alvarez being reported as one of the club’s targets.
According to reports in Spain, Álvarez wants to leave Atlético and the Spanish club could be considering signing Victor Goqueres to a player-cash deal.
However, Alvarez is eyeing a move to Barcelona, who are looking for a replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
