Besiktas spend €18 million on Arsenal Trossard to sharpen attack

Leandro Trossard, the 31‑year‑old Belgium international, has completed a move from Arsenal to Turkish side Besiktas, signing a three‑year contract after a €18 million fee payable in six instalments, with permission to travel to Istanbul for his medical granted on Tuesday. Besiktas identified Trossard for his proven pedigree at the highest level. The Belgium forward has won 57 caps for Belgium [Getty Images] and featured in all six World Cup matches, scoring twice, and started in Arsenal’s Premier League‑winning campaign and the Champions League final loss to Paris St Germain. The Turkish club expects the 31‑year‑old to inject creativity and goal‑scoring depth into a side that has struggled for consistent attacking output. His experience in elite competitions aligns with Besiktas’ ambition to compete more strongly in both the domestic league and European qualifiers.

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Arsenal lose a versatile attacker who contributed 36 goals and 34 assists in 174 appearances for the Gunners. Trossard was under contract until 2027, having joined from Brighton in January 2023 for £21 million plus add‑ons. During his brief spell at the Emirates he started 21 league games and featured in the Champions League final. The forward’s contract included a further one‑year option, giving Besiktas flexibility beyond the initial three‑year term. With Trossard’s exit, Arsenal have accelerated their pursuit of Club Brugge striker Christos Tzolis, a Greece international who has netted 43 goals in 108 games. The Gunners are also monitoring Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers as part of a broader attacking overhaul. The move provides Besiktas with a seasoned European performer while freeing Arsenal to reshuffle their forward line and invest in new targets, signalling a shift in both clubs’ transfer strategies this summer.