Arsenal allegedly put down a surprise £29.5 million offer for Saudi Pro League powerhouse Al Ittihad’s Leandro Trossard.  

Clubs from Saudi Arabia can still sign players even though the transfer deadline in England and Scotland had passed.

Should they opt to sell the Belgian, Mikel Arteta’s side would thus not be allowed to choose a replacement. 

The Athletic claims that the Saudi Pro League team submitted a preliminary bid for a season-long loan, involving a fee of £4.2 million with an obligation to buy next summer for a price between £16-£21m (€20-25m).

Remаins is an important component of Mikel Arteta’s team, hence the outlet report that Arsenal made plain the 29-year-old is not for sale at any price. 

The 29-year-old joined Arsenal from Brighton in January 2023 in a deal worth £27million and has gone on to record 19 goals and 12 assists from 71 appearances.

Had Trossard agreed to the move, he would’ve been joining the likes of Karim Benzema, Moussa Diaby and N’Golo Kante with Saudi side Al-Ittihad.

There had been doubts over Trossard’s place within the Arsenal squad for the 2024-25 campaign following the deadline day arrival of Raheem Sterling. 

On a drаmаtic transfer deadline day, that also saw Jadon Sancho close in on a move to Stamford Bridge, the Gunners swooped to sign Sterling from their London rivals as they closed in on finally ending their attempts to sign a new attacker.

There is no obligation to buy option in the deal, finalised in the early hours of Saturday morning.

‘It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s really exciting. I’m buzzing,’ said Sterling.

‘It’s one where we kind of left it late but it’s one I was hoping for. Looking at everything, I’m just, like, ‘This is a perfect fit for me’, and I’m suρer happy we got it over the line.

‘I spoke with [sporting director] Edu and I said you can see the real togetherness from Mikel’s time here and you see the journey the boys are on.

‘You can see the hunger, and I keep saying again, the togetherness is something I’m looking to be a part of.’