The agent of Brighton and Belgium ace Leandro Trossard admits Premier League leaders Arsenal held talks to sign the winger before completing a £15 million move to the Amex in the summer of 2019, speaking to HUMO.
At least, if or when the time comes for Trossard to leave, Seagulls supporters can rest a little easier in the knowledge that, when it comes to selling and replacing star players, there are few clubs with a better track record than Brighton.
Out went Marc Cucurella. In came Pervis Estupinan, for around a fifth for the price no less. Out went Yves Bissouma. In came Moises Caicedo, stepping up from a squad role to become a regular in the first XI.
According to the Northern Echo, Newcastle United are weighing up a January bid for the £30 million-rated Trossard on the back of seven goals and three assists in just 14 Premier League games so far this season.
Who knows, in the stylish Kaoru Mitoma, perhaps Brighton already have a player ready and willing to step into his shoes.
Arsenal wanted Leandro Trossard before he joined Brighton in 2019
“Leandro doesn’t need the World Cup. All clubs know (about) him,” says Trossard’s representative, Josy Comhair. “The first thing (Roberto) De Zerbi said, after his appointment, was that he didn’t understand that Leandro was still at Brighton.”
The South Coast club paid £15 million to bring the then-Genk captain to England three years ago. Trossard also held talks with Arsenal, but opted for Brighton due to the promise of guaranteed first-team football in blue-and-white.
“(Former Brighton boss Graham) Potter came to Brussels for Leandro, with an extensive Power Point presentation to convince him. He absolutely wanted him,” Comhair explains.
“There were other options. At the same time, I had several conversations with Arsenal. They came to Belgium four times.
“Most players would have chosen Arsenal. But what would have happened if Leandro didn’t get to play? Then there is only one way out; to take a step back. People don’t realise what that does in someone’s head.
“I know Leandro. Bench him three times and he goes wild. So, we said: ‘if he does well at Brighton, he doesn’t have to back down, he can take a step forward’.”
Trossard will hope to feature in Belgium’s Qatar World Cup opener against Canada on Wednesday.
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