Europa League
Saudi club offers Leandro Trossard €10m net per year
Leandro Trossard’s future at Arsenal is under scrutiny as his contract enters its final year, with a Saudi Arabian club making a lucrative bid. The Belgian international featured prominently for Belgium in their recent match, driving attacks from the left flank with dribbles and pace.
Al-Diraiyah, a newly promoted side in the Saudi top flight, is targeting European stars to bolster its squad, with Trossard among their primary targets. The club has proposed a net annual salary of €10 million to the winger, a figure that would represent a significant financial upgrade for the player.
Arsenal would also benefit financially from a potential sale, with the proposed transfer fee estimated at €20 million. This amount would cover nearly the entire sum spent to acquire Trossard in January 2023, when he joined from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Trossard’s contract at Arsenal includes a one-year extension option, but the player’s future may hinge on the Saudi offer. The move would mark a dramatic shift from the Premier League to a less established league, raising questions about his continued inclusion in Belgium’s national team.
Rudi Garcia has previously omitted players like Yannick Carrasco and Hugo Cuypers for competing in lower-profile leagues, leaving uncertainty over Trossard’s international prospects if he departs for Saudi Arabia.
The timing of the offer coincides with Trossard’s strong recent performances, including his impactful display for Belgium, where he was Belgium’s main source of danger in the first half against left-sided threats.
Al-Diraiyah’s push for European talent reflects a broader trend in Saudi football, with multiple clubs investing heavily to elevate the league’s profile. Trossard’s potential move would be one of the highest-profile transfers in this trend.
Arsenal’s decision will likely depend on whether they can secure a fee that aligns with their valuation, while Trossard must weigh the financial and competitive implications of leaving English football.