Arsenal Reject Al-Ittihad’s Loan Bid for Leandro Trossard as Transfer Window Drama Unfolds

Arsenal have swiftly turned down a late attempt by Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad to sign Belgium forward Leandro Trossard on an initial season-long loan. The Gunners made it clear that they have no intention of allowing the 29-year-old to leave, despite the Saudi side’s substantial offer.

Al-Ittihad proposed a £4 million fee to take Trossard on loan, with an obligation to make the deal permanent for around £25 million. However, Arsenal’s management quickly dismissed the offer, showing Trossard’s importance to the squad. The rejection highlights the club’s commitment to retaining key players, especially as the Premier League season progresses.

This approach is particularly significant given Arsenal’s recent acquisition of Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea, finalized on the last day of the Premier League’s transfer window. Sterling’s arrival, while bolstering Arsenal’s attacking options, has not diminished Trossard’s value in the eyes of manager Mikel Arteta, who considers him a vital part of the team’s plans.

Since joining Arsenal from Brighton in January 2023, Trossard has quickly become a crucial player for the Gunners. His versatility, creativity, and goal-scoring ability have made him a key figure in Arteta’s squad, often coming through in important moments. This was evident in Arsenal’s recent match against Aston Villa, where Trossard came off the bench to score the opening goal, contributing to a crucial win. 

His inclusion in the starting lineup against Brighton the following week further underlined his significance to the team. However, Trossard’s muted celebration after scoring against Villa hinted at possible frustration over his recent role as a substitute. Despite this, Arteta praised Trossard’s professional response, indicating that the forward remains a valued and integral member of the squad.

The rejection of Al-Ittihad’s bid for Trossard comes amidst a flurry of transfer activity as the Saudi Pro League and several European leagues race to finalize deals before their windows close. Saudi clubs, in particular, have been aggressively targeting top talent from Europe, often with lucrative offers that are hard to ignore.

Al-Ittihad had hoped to pair Trossard with Moussa Diaby, who recently signed with the club from Aston Villa for €60 million. The ambitious move was part of a broader strategy by Saudi clubs to attract high-profile players from European leagues, a trend that has intensified in recent months.

In other notable moves, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who was linked with a big-money transfer to both England and Saudi Arabia, has agreed to a season-long loan move to Turkish champions Galatasaray. This unexpected transfer includes a break clause in January, giving Osimhen and Napoli flexibility to reassess the situation during the winter window.

Additionally, former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling completed a transfer from Roma to Al-Fayha, another club in the Saudi Pro League, as the trend of European stars moving to the Middle East continues.

As the transfer window inches towards its close, other European leagues are also witnessing last-minute deals. In Portugal, Manchester City’s Issa Kaboré has joined Benfica on a season-long loan, further strengthening the Portuguese giants. 

Meanwhile, Dutch club PSV Eindhoven are set to sign Joel Ndala from Manchester City’s academy. The deal reportedly includes an obligation to buy for up to £8.4 million, with a buyback clause for the England Under-17 forward, ensuring City retain some control over his future development.