Arsenal REJECT Al Ittihad’s transfer offer for Leandro Trossard after they launch loan bid with obligation to buy
ARSENAL have rejected a shock bid for Leandro Trossard.
The Gunners received a verbal offer from Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad on Sunday.
According to The Athletic, a season-long loan worth £4.2million was proposed.
Al Ittihad also wanted to include an obligation to buy next summer for a price between £17m and £21m.
However, the offer was immediately turned down by Arsenal.
The Gunners insist Trossard is not for sale at any price.
Mikel Arteta considers him an important first team player and is not willing to let him leave any time soon.
Trossard joined Arsenal from Brighton in a transfer worth £20m plus £7m in add-ons last January.
The 29-year-old has scored 19 goals and provided 12 assists in 71 appearances since moving to north London.
Arsenal completed a last-minute deal for Raheem Sterling on Friday.
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
Arsenal ratings vs Brighton
ARSENAL drew 1-1 with Brighton in a game that turned when Declan Rice was sent off for a daft second booking.
Here, we take a look at how the players rated…
David Raya – 6/10
Initially had very little to do but was solid on the few occasions he was called upon. Denied Yankuba Minteh in the first half with a routine save.
Stopped his side from going 2-1 down in the 75th minute, brilliantly saving Yasin Ayari’s shot at a largely open goal.
Ben White – 6
Spent large portions of the match in the Brighton half supporting Saka.
Was solid defensively against the tricky Karou Mitoma.
William Saliba – 6
Continues to show an incredible ability to read the game and positional awareness. Thwarted the few Brighton attacks which managed to make their way into the box before Rice’s red.
Gabriel – 5
Marshalled the defence well with Saliba but seldom found himself in a one-on-one situation before Rice’s red. Was too far apart from the Frenchman in the build-up to Brighton’s equaliser.
Jurrien Timber – 6
Switched off and allowed Minteh to ghost in behind him for a header early in the first half but was solid after that lapse in concentration.
Martin Odegaard – 7
Was at the centre of everything good the Gunners did, pulling the strings from the first minute of the match.
Should’ve put his side ahead in the 17th minute when he ghosted onto a cross into the box.
Thomas Partey – 6
Anchored the midfield well and showed new signing Mikel Merino that he won’t give up his place in the starting XI without a fight.
Declan Rice – 4
Tenacious on the left side of the midfield and was a threat going forward in the first half.
Stupidly put his team under pressure just after the restart by getting himself sent off for kicking the ball away.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Was lively from the outset, tormenting Seagulls left-back Jack Hinshelwood every time he ran at him.
Should have scored in the eighth minute when Odeegard beautifully teed him up for a close-range effort.
Made up for his poor finish with a stellar assist for Havertz after bullying Lewis Dunk off the ball. Should’ve got a better connection on Havertz’s 77th-minute cross to restore the North Londoners’ lead.
Kai Havertz – 8
Was anonymous for large portions of the match but constantly made his brilliant runs in behind which created space for his team-mates.
Produced a deft finish over the advancing Bart Verbruggen in the 37th minute to break the deadlock.
But he missed a sitter in the 75th minute that would’ve restored his side’s advantage.
Leandro Trossard – 6
Struggled to get into the match against his former club and cut a frustrated figure on the left wing.
But he produced a good save from Verbruggen just before the half-time interval.
Subs
Riccardo Calafiori – 6
The Italian was thrown on to shore up the defence after Rice’s red card and did just that, as well as offering an outlet on the left wing.
Gabriel Martinelli – 5
Tried his best but failed to inject his usual energy into the game.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 5
The Ukranian was brought on to further bolster the struggling defence but almost cost his side the game in stoppage time by allowing Carlos Baleba a free header in the box.
The England winger has joined on a season-long loan from Chelsea, with the Blues paying a large chunk of his salary.
Arsenal also signed David Raya on a permanent transfer following his initial season-long loan as well as Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori.
Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto was another deadline day addition.
The Brazilian joined on a season-long loan following the departure of Aaron Ramsdale.
ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest deals and rumours from the Emirates