New Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta must be mindful of how his transfer strategy will impact certain members of Mikel Arteta’s squad, such as Leandro Trossard.
Trossard is expected to sign a new contract at Arsenal this summer, with his current deal set to expire next year.
The Belgian made more appearances than any other Gunners player last season, featuring in 56 games across all competitions for Arteta’s team, and the North London club are eager to reward him for this durability with a new deal.
However, Arsenal are still expected to be in the market for a new winger this summer, and Berta’s latest alteration to his transfer strategy risks upsetting the often spiky Trossard.
Arsenal make Rodrygo their transfer priority
Nico Williams has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal, although the Spaniard is now in contract negotiations with Athletic Club.
Meanwhile, the other primary winger targets the Gunners have been linked with, like Jamie Gittens, are generally project players who wouldn’t immediately threaten Trossard’s minutes.
However, Arsenal are also interested in signing Rodrygo, and a player of the Brazilian’s pedigree would undoubtedly make the former Brighton man a more peripheral figure in N5.
The situation has worsened for Trossard after a report emerged on Thursday suggesting that Berta has made Rodrygo his number one priority target.
According to Spanish journalist Rodra (via HandofArsenal), the Gunners’ recruitment team is unanimous in their feeling that the Real Madrid star would make a major difference to Arteta’s side and are prepared to go big to land him this summer.
Senior Arsenal figures have already held talks with Rodrygo about a switch to North London, and they’ll present a ‘strong financial offer’ if it’s made clear that the player is available.
The 24-year-old is keen to play on the left-hand side of Real Madrid’s attack and will express his desire to do so to new Los Blancos boss Xabi Alonso.
However, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior’s presence in the Spanish giants’ squad makes Rodrygo holding down the left at the Bernabeu unlikely.
He’ll assess the situation after the Club World Cup, and Arsenal will be ready to pounce.
Leandro Trossard should leave Arsenal this summer
While it seems a foregone conclusion that Trossard will now stay at the Emirates, he should contemplate ditching his contract negotiations after these Rodrygo reports.
If the Brazil international does sign for the Gunners, that leaves Trossard likely behind both Gabriel Martinelli and the new signing in the pecking order on the left-wing.
He’s never been deployed on the right for Arsenal, while Kai Havertz and one of Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres will likely be blocking his path to centre-forward minutes.
Berta making Rodrygo his priority shows how Trossard is really viewed by the club’s decision makers, and it would not be a surprise if he reacts poorly to this transfer approach.
If he can get out of his pending contract agreement, he should, and the Gunners should sanction it.
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