The ink on Leandro Trossard’s Besiktas deal is barely dry, and Arsenal are already making moves. According to CaughtOffside, the Premier League champions are preparing an opening €40 million bid for RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa — the 21-year-old Norwegian who lit up the 2026 World Cup with a sensational curling strike against Ivory Coast.
But here’s the catch. Leipzig don’t want to let him go cheaply. And Arsenal aren’t the only club circling.
Why Nusa? And Why Now?
Trossard’s departure changes everything on Arsenal’s left flank. The Belgian contributed 36 goals across 174 appearances and played a key role in last season’s title triumph, registering eight goals and 11 assists in 50 matches. His exit to Turkey for a reported £17 million, confirmed by Arsenal on July 15, leaves Gabriel Martinelli as the club’s only established natural left winger.
That’s not enough for a squad defending the Premier League crown and chasing Champions League glory.
Nusa fits the profile Mikel Arteta wants. He’s direct, explosively quick, and happy taking on defenders one-on-one. His World Cup performance underlined it all. Against Ivory Coast in the round of 32, he collected a pass from Martin Ødegaard on the left, cut inside, and curled a stunning effort into the top corner. It was the kind of goal that makes scouts reach for their phones.
He went on to help Norway reach the quarter-finals — their best World Cup run since 1998. Not bad for a 21-year-old.
His Manchester City teammate Erling Haaland recognized the talent early. Back in 2024, Haaland said of Nusa: “He’s fantastic. So it is important to take care of him and not hype him too much, even though he is a great talent.”
Two years later, the hype seems fully justified.
The Competition Is Fierce
Arsenal aren’t working in a vacuum here. Liverpool have shown strong interest in Nusa as an alternative after their pursuit of Yan Diomande collapsed when the teenager chose PSG. TEAMtalk reports that Tottenham have also made contact, while Newcastle, Crystal Palace, AC Milan, Napoli, and Atletico Madrid are all monitoring his situation.
That’s a crowded field for one player.
Then there’s the price gap. Leipzig reportedly value Nusa at around €60 million (£52 million). Arsenal’s opening €40 million offer falls well short. However, TEAMtalk’s sources suggest €50 million could be enough to get a deal done. Leipzig are under no immediate pressure to sell — Nusa’s contract runs until 2029 — but the right package might convince them.
It’s worth noting that Nusa isn’t Arsenal’s only target on the left. Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge is another name in the frame, with talks reportedly progressing on a potential £34 million deal. And then there’s the bigger fish: Morgan Rogers.
Aston Villa’s versatile attacker is widely considered Arsenal’s top priority in that position. He’d offer Premier League-proven quality and the ability to operate centrally or wide. But Villa’s asking price? A staggering £130 million, per Football Insider. That’s a completely different conversation.
In an ideal scenario, Arsenal would land both Rogers and Nusa:
- Rogers as an immediate first-team upgrade
- Nusa as a long-term investment and competition for Martinelli
- Combined, they’d give Arteta serious depth on the left flank
Can Arsenal Get This Done?
The next few weeks will be telling. Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has reportedly identified Nusa as a key target, and the club’s scouts have been regular visitors to RB Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena throughout the past season, according to Fussball Daten.
There’s also a potential sweetener in any deal. Nusa’s connection to Norway captain and Arsenal midfielder Ødegaard could help ease his transition to north London. That’s the sort of detail clubs factor in when spending £50 million on a 21-year-old.
Still, don’t expect this to be straightforward. Liverpool need a Mohamed Salah replacement. Tottenham want more unpredictability in attack. Newcastle lost Anthony Gordon to Barcelona and missed out on Victor Munoz. Everyone’s hungry.
Arsenal’s advantage? They’re champions. They can offer Champions League football and a manager with a track record of developing young talent. If Nusa wants the biggest stage in English football, the Emirates is hard to beat.
The Trossard era is over. The question now isn’t whether Arsenal will sign a left winger — it’s which one arrives first.
