Arsenal just officially agreed to a transfer fee, around £17m (that's 20m euros, for those keeping score!), to send their Belgium forward Leandro Trossard packing to Besiktas. The 31-year-old now has the green light to jet off to Istanbul for his medical, a move that shakes things up big time in North London. This isn't just a player leaving, folks; this is Arsenal making room for their next big play.
The Gunner's Goodbye: Trossard's Impact and the Price Tag
Trossard joined Arsenal in January 2023 from Brighton for a cool £21m plus add-ons, and he was under contract until 2027. So, getting £15.3m upfront plus an extra £1.7m in add-ons for a 31-year-old, even one as impactful as Trossard, feels like a solid piece of business. He certainly pulled his weight for Mikel Arteta's squad. The man bagged 36 goals and dished out 34 assists in 174 appearances, helping the Gunners snag that Premier League title last season. Remember when he was a key player, starting 21 times in the league and even lining up in the Champions League final loss to Paris St-Germain? Yeah, that guy. And let's not forget his international chops, starting all six games and scoring twice for Belgium when they hit the World Cup quarter-finals this summer. Besiktas themselves confirmed it, stating, "Negotiations have commenced with professional football player Leandro Trossard and his club Arsenal regarding his permanent transfer." The deal is on!The Hunt for New Firepower: Arsenal's Ambitious Attack Plan
Now, here's where it gets wild. Trossard's exit means Arsenal is full throttle on accelerating their pursuit of new talent. Christos Tzolis, the 24-year-old Greece international from Club Brugge, is suddenly front and center. BBC Sport was already on it back in June, and now Club Brugge is bracing for an offer. Sporting director Andrea Berta is all over this deal, with his assistant Maurizio Micheli even scouting Tzolis against Sweden. We're talking about a player who's netted 43 goals in 108 appearances for Club Brugge, and he could be available for around £30m (35m euros). That's serious firepower! But wait, there's more. The Tzolis pursuit is separate from Arsenal's hunt for other high-profile attackers. Their absolute priority target? Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, though Barcelona and Real Madrid are also sniffing around that Argentina international. Then there's Morgan Rogers, the Aston Villa attacker, who's Arsenal's preferred option for a versatile forward. Efforts to sign him are set to crank up once his World Cup duties with England wrap, but Aston Villa reportedly wants a staggering £130m! If that's too rich, Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola is the alternative. And keep an eye on teenage sensation Andria Bartishvili from Iberia 1999; Micheli was recently spotted watching the Georgia Under-21 international in a Champions League qualifier. Arsenal is seriously stepping up their game to land this kid. So, what's next for Arsenal? With Trossard off to Turkey, the summer transfer window is officially heating up. Get ready for some serious wheeling and dealing as the Gunners look to build an even stronger attack for the season ahead!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.