Arsenal’s long-awaited left-wing refresh now appears to be gathering real momentum.
According to reports, Besiktas have agreed a deal worth up to €20 million (£17.1m) to sign Leandro Trossard, with only personal terms and the timing of the transfer still to be resolved while the Belgian remains at the World Cup with his national side.
While Trossard has been an excellent servant since arriving from Brighton in January 2023, this feels like the natural conclusion for both player and club.
More importantly, it could finally unlock the move Arsenal fans have been waiting years to see.
With Trossard heading for the exit, Arsenal are effectively guaranteeing they will not begin another season relying on the same left-wing options – an area that has needed something new for a few seasons.
Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli have shared the role for several seasons, producing plenty of memorable moments between them. Trossard in particular was instrumental during last season’s Premier League title triumph, finishing with eight goals and 11 assists while scoring a crucial late winner away at West Ham. Across his Arsenal career he leaves having contributed 36 goals and 34 assists in 174 appearances, an excellent return for a player who so often accepted a rotational role and arrived for a fee not much more than the one he is now set to leave for.
However, Arsenal’s recruitment activity throughout this summer has suggested the club are looking for another level.
Reports linking the Gunners with players such as Bradley Barcola and Morgan Rogers have shown there is a desire to add a genuine game-changing left winger, someone capable of matching Bukayo Saka’s elite output on the opposite flank while also carrying the ball consistently in transition.
Selling Trossard also makes perfect sense from a financial perspective.
The Belgian turns 32 this season and had just one year remaining on his contract. Rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer, Arsenal are securing a respectable fee while removing a sizeable wage from the books.
That creates both the squad space and financial flexibility needed to invest in a younger, long-term option.
It also provides greater clarity in Mikel Arteta’s squad planning.
Instead of another campaign where Martinelli and Trossard rotate depending on form, Arsenal can now build around a new first-choice signing, with Martinelli either competing for minutes or potentially attracting interest himself before the window closes.
After strengthening in midfield and other areas, many supporters viewed left wing as the final major piece of the puzzle.
If Trossard’s move to Besiktas is completed, Arsenal will have taken the first decisive step towards addressing it.
For the first time in several years, it genuinely feels like Arsenal are preparing to start a season with a completely refreshed left side rather than hoping the existing options can find another level.
With Trossard’s departure now close, all eyes turn to who Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta choose to bring through the Emirates doors next. The signs increasingly suggest Arsenal’s next marquee arrival could be exactly the explosive left winger supporters have been waiting for.