Aston Villa lining up surprise move for Arsenal star and ‘talks’ have begun: report

While there are reports that Aston Villa transfer business will unsurprisingly remain limited in spite of the sale of Jacob Ramsey, the club will continue to look for value in the transfer market.

One of the more unlikely targets to have emerged this week is Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard, who would be a suitable tactical fit in Ramsey’s absence and add another set of options in attacking areas for Villa manager Unai Emery.

Trossard can play on either wing or in a false nine role and anything in between, but, at 30 years of age, a transfer is surely a non-starter if Villa do take a gamble on the only slightly younger Marco Asensio.

Nevertheless, Caught Offside reports that Villa are interested, claiming via Football Transfers that: “Talks have taken place Aston Villa and Arsenal over the transfer of Belgian winger Leandro Trossard. Emery’s team also tried to sign the winger in January but Arsenal had offered the player a new contract and they were confident that the player would sign it.”

The Belgian international’s future in North London is up in the air after the signings of Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyökeres to add to an attacking group that’s well stocked and could yet be bolstered by the arrival of Eberechi Eze.

Trossard’s Brighton breakthrough and Arsenal highs

Trossard scored 25 goals and clocked up 15 assists for Brighton & Hove Albion after a series of loan spells while on the books at Genk. He joined the Seagulls in 2019 and made 121 appearances in all competitions before leaving in 2022.

That season, he netted eight league goals and added three assists, contributing in several big games with goals against Liverpool, Newcastle, Arsenal, Spurs, and Manchester United. The following campaign, he remained a key figure until a disagreement with De Zerbi led to his exit midway through the season.

In a stand-out 2021/22 season, Trossard made 11 goal contributions in the Premier League including big-game strikes against Liverpool, Newcastle United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

A reported disagreement with manager Roberto De Zerbi the following season eventually led to his departure but he arrived at Arsenal at the perfect time. Mikel Arteta wanted a versatile forward capable of playing as a false nine and who could reliably deliver an impact from the bench.

Trossard established himself at the Emirates, making 124 appearances and scoring 28 goals in all competitions to date. He helped the Gunners secure three consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League and reach the Champions League semi-finals last season.

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