Former Premier League owner Simon Jordan is backing Arsenal’s pursuit of Brighton and Hove Albion forward Leandro Trossard, telling talkSPORT (19 January, 12pm) that quality January additions can only aid Mikel Arteta’s title challenge.
According to Goal, a deal for the ever-improving Belgium international could set Arsenal back around £20 million. That, for the record, is nearly £70 million less than London rivals Chelsea paid to pinch Mykhaylo Mudryk from under Arteta’s nose last weekend.
Mudryk is, of course, a footballer of a genuinely elite-level potential; Brighton boss Roberto di Zerbi believes he is a future Ballon D’Or winner. But Trossard would arrive with a proven track record in the Premier League. And, at the age of 28, should slot straight into this Arsenal team and make an immediate impact, having already scored seven times in the division this season alone.
Chelsea are paying a pretty penny for potential. Arsenal, in contrast, will sign an established Premier League star at the peak of his powers. For a fraction of the fee.
And Jordan admits that, if he was in charge at the Emirates Stadium, he’d give Arteta his backing as talks with Trossard reach an advanced stage (Guardian).
Arsenal are in talks to sign Leandro Trossard from Brighton and Hove Albion
“If the manager wants us to, and these signings are good signings (then I’d say yes),” the former Crystal Palace owner admits.
“If you are going to buy someone in August or July, why wouldn’t they be a good signing in January? When you’ve got a huge opportunity to do something significant?
“If I am bringing it forward six months, when I have got the chance to win the Premier League, (I’m doing the deal) all day.”
Trossard is already just one goal short of matching his tally from the whole of 2021/22.
The former Genk captain first caught Arsenal’s eye before joining Brighton four years ago. And he should provide high-quality competition for Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka while saving funds for Arsenal to prioritise a new central midfielder next the summer.
Declan Rice, reports say, is their number one target.
Trossard, meanwhile, hopes to leave Brighton this month after a dramatic fall-out at the Amex (Guardian). Not that the Seagulls missed him all that much during Saturday’s 3-0 obliteration of Liverpool.
“This guy is doing major bits right now,” Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand told Vibe with Five in November.
“The best part of his game is being creative. He’s just scored a few goals lately, that’s not even his game. I think the creative and the approach play in his game is unreal. The only thing I was asking for before was a bit more end product. And he’s actually doing that now.”
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