Arsenal Complete the £27m Signing of Leandro Trossard From Brighton
Arsenal have completed the signing of Leandro Trossard from Brighton in a deal that would eventually be worth £27million.
Mikel Arteta has been eager to strengthen his attacking options as the Gunners pursue a first Premier League title since 2004 and Belgium international Trossard, 28, fits the bill.
Brighton will receive a guaranteed figure of around £20m with the remaining £7m made up of achievable incentives.
Trossard could be in the Arsenal squad to face Manchester United in a pivotal clash at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Although he signed his deal before midday on Friday, there was no confirmation over his registration before the deadline that would allow him to compete against the Red Devils – although it may appear likely.
Sportsmail understands that Trossard can expect to double his current salary to around £90,000-a-week at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal wanted to sign the Ukraine winger Mykhailo Mudryk this month but they were gazumped by London rivals Chelsea, who paid Shakhtar Donetsk an initial £62m with a possible £26m in add-ons.
The Gunners, who enjoy a five-point advantage over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand, moved quickly to identify other targets, including Trossard.
The Belgian has been training alone at Brighton amid an ongoing stand-off with manager Roberto De Zerbi.
His deal at the Amex Stadium was set to expire in the summer, although Brighton retained an option to extend it a further 12 months.
But he was axed from the squad that beat Liverpool 3-0 last Saturday and continued to be exiled from the first-team this week.
Trossard, who also attracted attention from Tottenham, made clear he wanted to leave the south coast club and has now got his wish.
It remains to be seen, however, how Trossard takes to what is likely to be – at least from the start – a peripheral role under Arteta, whose starting XI is largely settled.
But his Premier League experience will come as a major boost to Arsenal’s hopes of winning the title given he will not need time to adapt to a new division.
His versatility is a major attraction to Arteta, with Trossard able to play on either flank or as No 10.
Trossard featured in all three of Belgium’s matches at the World Cup and was selected ahead of Eden Hazard in Roberto Martinez’s starting XI in the crucial final group game against Croatia.
The post Arsenal Complete the £27m Signing of Leandro Trossard From Brighton was originally published on Daily Mail.
