Beşiktaş have agreed a €20 million (£17.1m) deal with Arsenal to sign versatile forward Leandro Trossard.
According to The Athletic, the Turkish club will pay a fixed €18 million fee. The package also includes a further €2 million in potential add-ons. While the transfer remains incomplete, the clubs are rapidly finalising personal terms. The package includes a net salary worth up to €9 million per season for the Belgian international.
However, the deal will likely stall until Belgium finish their 2026 World Cup campaign in North America.
World Cup duties delay the move
Trossard is currently away on international duty with Belgium. His side faces a massive last-16 clash against the United States on Monday.
The 31-year-old forward has started all four matches under manager Rudi Garcia so far. He caught the eye with a brace in a 5-1 group-stage victory over New Zealand. He also turned provider, registering a crucial assist in Belgium’s dramatic 3-2 comeback win against Senegal.
Because of his current international focus, all parties expect negotiations to pause until the tournament ends.
Cashing in at the peak
The transfer marks a significant moment for Arsenal’s squad management. Trossard played a crucial role last season as Mikel Arteta’s side lifted their first Premier League title since 2004. He made 50 appearances in all competitions, racking up eight goals and 11 assists.
His most iconic moment came on May 10. He scored a dramatic 83rd-minute winner away at West Ham United. That vital goal successfully maintained Arsenal’s five-point lead over Manchester City at a crucial juncture in the title race.
However, the forward has entered the final year of his contract at the Emirates. He signed a lucrative pay rise in August 2025, but that deal kept his expiry date firmly fixed at June 2027. Arsenal chiefs view this window as their final opportunity to secure a significant fee. They want to avoid losing a valuable asset for free next summer.
Arteta’s attacking evolution
Arteta faces a calculated gamble by sanctioning this departure. Trossard has consistently provided excellent tactical flexibility, regularly filling in as a central striker when injuries struck.
Yet, the hierarchy is clearly planning for the future. Selling an aging star frees up significant space on the wage bill. It also generates vital funds for a younger, world-class replacement.
We recently explored how this tactical shift could impact the club’s summer plans. You can read our full analysis on the Arsenal summer transfer strategy. The coming weeks will show exactly how Arteta plans to replace Trossard’s unique output.
