Arsenal have spent 12 July balancing two very different jobs at once: managing a squad still scattered across the World Cup semi-finals while quietly working through one of the busiest transfer to-do lists in the Premier League. Eight players remain in contention for the trophy, and every one of them is a factor in how Mikel Arteta plans his pre-season.
On the business side, the picture is just as crowded. Leandro Trossard’s Besiktas exit is edging towards completion, Morgan Rogers remains the priority attacking target despite a British-record asking price, and Arsenal are still working two separate angles – Julián Álvarez and Eli Junior Kroupi – to solve the same problem in attack. None of it is resolved yet, and that is exactly what makes today’s picture worth mapping out in one place.
The pace has not let up for weeks. Villa want £130million for Rogers – more than Manchester City paid for Elliot Anderson – while Arsenal are still refusing to move past £90million for Álvarez against Atlético’s £100million-plus valuation. When two of your top attacking targets are separated from your valuation by tens of millions of pounds, the summer’s real business is being done in the gap between those numbers.
What’s happening with Leandro Trossard’s Besiktas exit?
Trossard is reportedly closing in on personal terms with Besiktas, with Arsenal having already agreed a package worth €18million plus €2million in add-ons for the Belgian. According to ReadArsenal’s report on the exit breakthrough, the final paperwork is being prepared and the move could be completed this week, with Trossard having delayed a decision while at the World Cup with Belgium. His departure would free up space – and wage budget – for Arteta to bring in a younger option on the left, with Christos Tzolis previously linked as a possible replacement.
Why are Arsenal confident on Morgan Rogers despite Aston Villa’s £130m stance?
Villa are holding firm on a fee that would break the British transfer record, benchmarking their valuation against Manchester City’s £116million deal for Elliot Anderson. Even so, ReadArsenal’s analysis of Arsenal’s record-breaking ambition on Rogers notes that personal terms progress with the player’s camp has strengthened the club’s conviction that a deal can be done, with Fabrizio Romano describing Rogers as Arsenal’s number one target on the wing this summer.
Where do Arsenal stand on Julián Álvarez and Eli Junior Kroupi?
Arsenal are pushing to get an Álvarez deal done before pre-season begins, with the Argentina international’s options in Spain reportedly narrowing. ReadArsenal’s report on the Álvarez push says Arsenal do not want to pay more than £90million against Atlético’s valuation north of £100million. Separately, Arsenal have been handed a boost in the race for Eli Junior Kroupi after Paris Saint-Germain reportedly stepped back, though Bournemouth’s £80-100million valuation means any deal for the teenager is likely to develop slowly, with Manchester City still competing for his signature.
How are Arsenal’s World Cup contingent managing fitness ahead of pre-season?
England’s extra-time win over Norway produced a mixed evening for Arsenal’s contingent. ReadArsenal’s report on the Saka and Rice fitness scares details how Bukayo Saka continues to manage an Achilles issue while Declan Rice was withdrawn at half-time after struggling with illness and an existing neural issue affecting his hamstring and lower back. There was a lighter moment too: Rice was seen consoling Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard after Norway’s elimination, a reminder of the dressing-room bond Arteta has built even as club-mates compete against each other on the international stage. Overall, eight Arsenal players remain alive in the World Cup heading into Wednesday’s semi-finals against Argentina and Spain.
When do Arsenal report back for pre-season training?
Most of the squad are due back at London Colney on Monday, 20 July, according to ReadArsenal’s report on Arteta’s return date and Marbella plans, with an optional training camp in Marbella planned for players and staff not required at the World Cup final on 19 July. Arsenal open their pre-season fixtures against Girona on 1 August, before facing Real Betis, Borussia Dortmund and Como.
Arsenal’s 12 July state of play
| Player | Direction | Club involved | Reported status (12 July) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leandro Trossard | Out | Besiktas | Personal terms close; €20m deal being finalised |
| Morgan Rogers | In (target) | Aston Villa | Villa want £130m; Arsenal have made personal-terms progress |
| Julián Álvarez | In (target) | Atlético Madrid | Arsenal capped at £90m; Atlético want £100m+ |
| Eli Junior Kroupi | In (target) | Bournemouth | PSG have stepped back; Bournemouth want £80-100m; Man City still competing |
Arsenal Talking Points Facts – 12th July 2026
Has Arsenal completed a new signing today? No. As of 12 July 2026, no new outfield arrival has been confirmed; the day’s movement was in personal terms and valuations rather than completed deals.
Is Leandro Trossard’s Besiktas move finished? Not yet. As of 12 July 2026, personal terms are described as close but the transfer had not been officially completed.
How many Arsenal players are still in the World Cup? Eight, as of 12 July 2026, following England’s and Spain’s and France’s continued progress, with the semi-finals against Argentina and between France and Spain set for this week.
When does Arsenal’s pre-season officially begin? The majority of the squad report back on Monday, 20 July 2026, with the first friendly against Girona on 1 August.
