Brentford made an enquiry to Arsenal over winger Leandro Trossard, but are unlikely to advance with a bid, GMS understands. The 30-year-old has one year left on his current contract, and has been engaged in talks with the club over extending despite no agreement reached this summer.
Brentford held some club-to-club talks and are aware Arsenal want to try and recoup the £27m fee they paid to Brighton two years ago. At that price, Brentford are not expected to follow up with an offer.
Brentford are hoping to add another attacker with Yoane Wissa set to leave the club. Kevin Schade, Gustavo Nunes, and Myles Peart-Harris are three left-sided options available to Keith Andrews, meaning the Bees are more likely to now seek a No.9.
Arsenal Prepared to Sanction Trossard Exit
Arsenal are prepared to sanction a Trossard exit in the final weeks of the window, knowing it could allow them to move for a left-winger.
Arsenal have cooled their interest in Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, who they viewed as a No.10, instead prioritising a left-winger and wanting to give Ethan Nwaneri opportunities through the centre.
Trossard, who reportedly earns £110,000-a-week at the Emirates Stadium, was also subject of an approach from Borussia Dortmund this summer. However, GMS understands links with Fenerbahce are wide of the mark. The Turkish side instead hold an interest in Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko and the Ukrainian international could yet leave the Emirates Stadium before the window shuts on September 1.
Trossard has gone on to score 28 goals in 128 appearances since joining Arsenal. He remains a valued squad player and was an unused substitute in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Newcastle Set to Make Bid to Sign Wissa This Week
Brentford have already added one new attacker in Dango Ouattara, who joined from Bournemouth for a club-record £42.5m fee. The Burkina Faso international can play on either side or as a number nine and is viewed as a replacement for Bryan Mbeumo.
Wissa has been told Brentford are ready to negotiate his exit, with Newcastle United set to table an improved offer in the coming days, but the 28-year-old may need to be patient as Brentford attempt to sign a second forward.
Those close to Wissa insist Ouattara’s arrival will trigger a move, but Brentford sources insist a second forward must be sourced before the sanction an exit, and even hint they could yet block his exit all together in another change of position.
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