Arsenal Agree to Shock Deal for Young Winger This Summer?

According to some reports, Arsenal have struck a summer deal to sign £22 million rated winger Leandro Trossard from Belgian side, Genk.

Who is Leandro Trossard?

Trossard is a 24-year-old Belgian winger who plays his football for Genk. He is enjoying one of his best seasons yet after scoring 17 goals and 8 assists in 29 appearances in all competitions. He is primarily a left winger but has also been utilized as a central attacking midfielder, playing just off the striker.

He has been called up to the Belgian national side but has yet to be awarded a cap for his country. Although with the form he is currently in, it won't be too long until he gets some minutes under his belt.

Trossard has spent all of his career so far playing in Belgium, with moves from various clubs. But his stellar performances have caught the eye of some of Europe's elite.

Dortmund are another team who have been linked to Trossard, to replace the outgoing young winger Christian Pulisic to Chelsea in the summer.

Arsenal Interest

Arsenal reportedly first registered their interest early last year but due to the restriction on finances, a move never materialised.

According to Trossard's agent, Arsenal were extremely interested and reportedly even suggested for him to stay at Genk to continue his development. This turned out to be a good idea based on his performances so far.

Trossard's agent has since made it very clear that Arsenal is his client's preferred destination, specifically over Spurs who were also interested—something that will no doubt sit very well with the Gunners' fans.

Below is the transcript of Josy Comhair (Trossard's agent) interview with Sporza late last year.

"Leandro wants to leave Genk through the big gate."

"I contacted representatives from Arsenal and Tottenham."

"At Tottenham, nobody has wanted to confirm that Trossard is an option."

"But Arsenal does."

"They told me that Leandro has a very interesting profile for them and that they have been following him since August. And they also added that it was a good choice to stay in Genk for another year. They said they have kept a close eye on him."

Affordability

It's been common knowledge that Arsenal do not like to splash the cash in the transfer market and take a more conservative approach than some other big clubs. It seems like Arsenal are looking to invest in youth and are trying to develop them instead of paying big bucks.

Arsenal are expected to have a transfer fund of around £100 million plus player sales in the summer according to BBC journalist David Ornstein. On top of this, a few of the club's big earners will be off the wage bill in the summer with Petr Cech (£100k p/w) retiring, Aaron Ramsey (£110k p/w) and Stephan Licsteiner (£90k p/w). This will no doubt give Arsenal some more flexibility in the summer window.

Considering the rebuild Arsenal need, most notably in defence, an outlay of £22 million on a winger would definitely fit the bill. This would no doubt leave Arsenal with the funds they desperately need to improve.

How would he fit the team?

It's no secret that Arsenal are crying out for wingers. During the recent January transfer window, Arsenal explored the potential of signing Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan or Yannick Carrasco from the CSL, neither of which happened due to Arsenal's current financial situation governed by FFP (financial fair play).

It would appear that Trossard would seamlessly slot into Arsenal's starting eleven adding, much need pace and width to help stretch the opposition's defence.

Arsenal currently have an elite strikeforce in Lacazette and Aubameyang but seem to lack in attacking midfielder/wingers with the club's highest earner Mesut Özil falling out of favour with Head Coach Unai Emery. Mkhitaryan and Iwobi are other options Arsenal do have but their performances so far have been hit and miss.

Given the comments from Trossard's agent, Arsenal's need for a wide player and a price tag that would seem suitable to the Gunners, could we see Leandro Trossard at the Emirates for the 2019/20 season?