Arsenal star 'set for bumper pay rise' after last-minute transfer swoop

Arsenal have opened talks with Leandro Trossard over a new contract in light of interest from the Saudi Pro League, according to recent reports.

The 29-year-old attacker has been in the Premier League since his from move Genk to Brighton in 2019. After three-and-a-half years and over 120 appearances for the Seagulls, he was signed by Mikel Arteta's Arsenal in January last year and remains under contract until the summer of 2026.

However, at the end of the transfer window, Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad launched an attempt to sign Trossard but were unsuccessful in their pursuit. Now, it has been claimed by the Daily Mail that the Gunners have now opened talks with the player over a new contract with a significant pay increase.

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The article claims Trossard's current deal, that was signed upon his arrival in 2023, is worth £90,000 a week, but his new wages will bump that into six figures if an agreement is reached. Last season, the Belgium international's importance was underlined by his 17 goals and two assists across all competitions.

This term, Trossard has so far scored two and assisted one in 15 appearances. Arsenal, though, are nine points adrift in the title race with five wins from 11 games, and they sit behind Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool in the standings.

Trossard was substituted in Belgium's Nations League clash against Israel with a knock on Monday night, but there will be hope the injury isn't serious with a crucial run of fixtures against Nottingham Forest, Sporting CP, West Ham, Manchester United and Fulham on the horizon.