Arsenal legend Martin Keown has urged the club to bring in someone truly special on the left wing this summer. With Leandro Trossard heading for the exit, the Gunners can’t afford to get this one wrong.
Trossard’s departure to Besiktas is all but done. The Belgian winger is set to leave in a deal worth around €20 million. He gave Arsenal solid service — consistent, reliable, rarely injured. But at 31, the Premier League champions clearly feel it’s time to look forward.
So what now? Keown’s message is clear. Don’t just sign anyone. Sign someone who can elevate this squad.
Trossard’s Exit Opens the Door
According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have agreed a fee with Besiktas for Trossard. Personal terms are close, and a delegation from the Turkish club reportedly travelled to present the project during the World Cup break.
A few key details on the deal:
- Transfer fee of €18 million plus €2 million in add-ons
- Trossard set to earn annual wages of around €9 million in Istanbul
- Contract until 2029 with an option to extend by one year
Mikel Arteta himself called Trossard “exceptional” earlier this year, praising his consistency. But Arsenal aren’t in the business of sentiment. They’re in the business of winning titles back-to-back — something they haven’t done since the 1930s.
The Three Names on Arteta’s Shortlist
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has reportedly narrowed his options to three wingers. Each comes with a very different price tag and risk profile.
Morgan Rogers sits at the top of the list. The Aston Villa and England star scored 10 Premier League goals last season and offers the kind of versatility Arteta loves. He can play left, centrally, or even as a striker. Villa, though, want £130 million — a figure that would smash Arsenal’s British transfer record. Rogers himself seemed unsure about the valuation, recently saying he wasn’t convinced he’s worth that much.
Then there’s Bradley Barcola. The PSG and France winger is technically gifted and just 23. But Paris have slapped a €150 million asking price on him, and Liverpool reportedly hold an edge in that race. PSG’s preference is to extend Barcola’s contract rather than sell. If renewal talks stall after the World Cup, things could shift. For now, it’s complicated.
The most realistic option? That’s Christos Tzolis. The Club Brugge winger is close to joining Arsenal for around £35 million. He scored 22 goals and provided 29 assists last season across all competitions. He’s hungry, he’s 24, and he already wants to move to the Emirates.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Arsenal are in regular contact with Tzolis’s camp. The Greek international has reportedly placed other offers on hold to wait for the Gunners. If the deal goes through, he’d become the most expensive Greek player in football history.
Can Arsenal Get This Right?
Here’s the thing. Tzolis isn’t a headline-grabber in the way Rogers or Barcola would be. But he doesn’t need to be the only signing. Reports suggest Arsenal view Tzolis as quality depth, not necessarily the marquee addition. He could arrive alongside one of the bigger names if Berta can negotiate the right deals.
That’s a shrewd approach. It lowers the average age of the squad while keeping the financial flexibility to chase Rogers or whoever else emerges.
Keown’s point still stands, though. Arsenal are defending champions who reached the Champions League final. They can’t afford to downgrade in any position. If Trossard’s leaving, whoever replaces him needs to add something extra — more pace, more directness, more goals.
This summer could define Arsenal’s next chapter. Get the winger right, and a dynasty is within reach. Get it wrong, and rivals like Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea are ready to pounce.
The clock is ticking.
