Arsenal are set to complete the signing of Leandro Trossard today, but transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has suggested that the Gunners January spending may not stop there.
It was revealed on Thursday morning that Arsenal were in advanced talks to sign Trossard and before the evening, a fee had been agreed. Arsenal are now working on the final details, with hope a deal will be fully completed by midday, enabling him to be registered and possibly feature in the squad for Sunday’s game against Manchester United.
But after spending £21million + £6million add ons on Trossard, Arsenal still have scope to do more this month and Romano has suggested they will try and do just that.
Speaking on his YouTube channel late on Thursday night he said “It’s not over yet [Arsenal’s window after signing Trossard], they will explore opportunities. Keep an eye on the right-back situation. They appreciate Ivan Fresneda, also for the midfielder, there could be some opportunities. Let’s see.”
With Cedric Soares closing in on a move to Fulham, we’ve previously covered news of Arsenal’s interest in teenage right-back Fresneda, who is being courted by top European clubs.
A report in The Telegraph last week suggested that Arsenal had turned their attention to signing Fresneda after missing out on Mudryk.
Fresneda is just 18 years of age, but is regarded as one of the best young full backs in Europe. The teenager is a regular in La Liga this season and as well as Arsenal, the likes of Newcastle and Real Madrid have been strongly linked.
Romano also mentions that Arsenal will keep their eye on a move for a midfielder this month. There is a limited amount of names linked right now, but Arsenal’s lack of depth in midfield, particularly alternatives for Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey are limited.
The likes of Youri Tielemans have been linked previously. The Belgian international will see his contract expire at Leicester at the end of the season and it is possible that his club will try and get a small fee for him this month, rather than lose him for free in the summer.
Arsenal only really have Lokonga and Elneny to cover in those positions, and the former has not been trusted, even off the bench, in the Premier League much this season.
With Arsenal confident of signing Declan Rice this summer, possibly to compete with Partey in the deepest midfield role, the club could be eyeing a player capable of playing more in Xhaka’s role. Tielemans would suit that profile and like Trossard, is Premier League ready and potentially available for a reduced price.