Arsenal agree permanent deal to sell Trossard to Besiktas after title-winning season

Arsenal have agreed to sell Leandro Trossard to Turkish side Besiktas on a permanent basis, bringing an end to the 31-year-old’s three-and-a-half-year spell at the Emirates Stadium. Both clubs have publicly confirmed the deal, though Trossard is yet to finalise personal terms.

Arsenal confirmed the agreement in a social media post: “We have reached an agreement with Besiktas for the permanent transfer of Leandro Trossard. We will provide a further update once the transfer has been completed.” Besiktas followed with their own announcement, stating that “negotiations have commenced with professional football player Leandro Trossard and his club Arsenal regarding his permanent transfer.”

Trossard arrived at Arsenal from Brighton in January 2023 and went on to make 174 appearances across all competitions, scoring 36 goals. He played a significant role in Mikel Arteta’s squad last season as the Gunners secured their first Premier League title in 22 years, contributing six league goals in 31 appearances.

Among his most memorable contributions was an 83rd-minute winner at the London Stadium in May, when he converted a Martin Odegaard pass to beat West Ham — a result that kept Arsenal firmly in the title race and was followed by VAR controversy after the hosts were denied a late equaliser.

His final appearance for the club came in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest, where he assisted Kai Havertz’s early goal in a 1-1 draw before Arsenal were eliminated on penalties.

Trossard departs having also featured prominently at the World Cup with Belgium, who reached the quarter-finals before a 2-1 defeat to Spain. He scored twice in the group stage against New Zealand and registered assists in victories over Senegal and the United States.

The Belgian international joined Arsenal midway through the 2022-23 season and contributed to a title challenge that year, though the Gunners were ultimately pipped to the trophy by Manchester City. His exit marks a significant departure from a squad that has undergone considerable evolution under Arteta.