Trossard delays transfer decision as Besiktas table €20m verbal bid for Arsenal winger
Leandro Trossard is putting his Arsenal future on hold until after the World Cup, with Besiktas having already made a verbal offer worth up to €20 million for the 31-year-old, who enters the final year of his contract this summer.
Leandro Trossard will not make a decision on his Arsenal future until after the World Cup, with the Belgian winger fielding interest from multiple clubs as he enters the final year of his contract at the Emirates Stadium.
Besiktas — who attempted to sign Trossard last September — have made him one of their top summer targets and have already submitted a verbal offer worth up to €20 million (£17.25m). Sources close to the Turkish club indicate that figure is one Arsenal would consider financially acceptable, should Trossard signal he is open to the move.
For now, his camp has made clear he wants no distractions during the tournament, which could prove to be his last World Cup appearance. He has been in strong form for Belgium, contributing two goals and one assist, and faces Senegal in a Round of 32 clash in Seattle.
When asked about his future ahead of Belgium’s warm-up fixture against Tunisia, Trossard was measured in his response. “At the moment I am still at Arsenal, so there is not much to say about that,” he said. Pressed on whether he could remain with the Premier League champions, he added: “At the moment, yes. At the moment I am still at Arsenal and we will see what happens.”
His newly-rebranded agency FOKUS has been fielding enquiries over his availability. Saudi Pro League side Al-Diraiyah have also registered interest, though Trossard is understood to prefer remaining within Europe’s top five leagues. Roma and Fenerbahce are among the clubs to have made enquiries in the past year.
The forward managed eight goals and 11 assists across all competitions last season and started the Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Last summer he received a pay rise in recognition of his importance to Mikel Arteta’s squad, though the length of his contract was not extended.
Arteta’s side are understood to be in the market for at least one new left-winger this summer, which may ultimately shape whether Trossard has a long-term role at the club regardless of his own preferences.
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