Brighton and Hove Albion face a big task in keeping their talismanic Belgian Leandro Trossard as Arsenal have been tipped to join Chelsea in the race to sign the attacker in the January transfer window.
The winger has been an important player for the Seagulls since he joined the team in 2011 from KRC Genk in Belgium, where he started his professional career. This season, however, he has been their standout player, contributing six goals in 11 matches.
That is just two less than his total tally of eight which saw him finish last season as the club’s top scorer in the league. With more than half the season to go, he looks set for his first double digit goal tally for Brighton in the Premier League.
However, the likeliness of that happening has been reduced with former boss Graham Potter looking to pry him away from the Amex Stadium to Stamford Bridge in January. Arsenal has also been tipped to join the race according to reports, further reducing the probability of Trossard scoring double digits for Brighton.
Trossard is in the final 12 months of his current contract and per laid down rules, is eligible to start discussions with interested clubs in January. Brighton are working behind the scenes to get the Belgian to extend his contract because of how important he is to the team.
They have also been reported to be ready to discuss a potential sale if they cannot come to an agreement before January, as they would rather not lose him for free. Former Gunner Kevin Campbell has backed his old club to push for the 27-year-old’s signing in the winter window.
“I think Trossard would be a good signing,” Campbell told Football Insider. “I think he would thrive at Arsenal. He would be a squad player, one you could rotate in and out of the team and there would be no drop-off.
“I think he is a really good player. He is very smart, has good movement and he can finish. It would be a smart move in my opinion.”
Mikel Arteta is also believed to be interested in Shaktar Donetsk’s Mykhaylo Mudryk as he explores adding to his wife options. He is currently leading a team with only Martinelli and Saka as the out and out wide men and has taken it under advisement to provide cover for both youngsters as the season’s dynamics change.
Arsenal, however, will have to battle other side’s including Serie A club AS Roma for the Ukrainian winger. Trossard, who is already receiving rave reviews from Campbell and many associated with the club, could be their new target.
