Leandro Trossard reacts to Mikel Merino’s heartfelt message amid Arsenal exit links
Leandro Trossard has reacted to a heartfelt message from Mikel Merino amid rumours of the Belgian winger’s potential Gunners exit this summer.
Trossard joined Arsenal from Brighton in 2023 for an initial £20million [Sky Sports] fee, and he has largely played a back-up role for the Gunners in the two-and-a-half years since.
Mikel Arteta is looking to freshen up his attacking options this summer as Arsenal close in on a move for Chelsea’s Noni Madueke, while Real Madrid winger Rodrygo is also a target for the North London outfit.
The Belgium international could be set to move on soon, as a result, after former scout Mick Brown previously told Football Insider that Trossard could leave Arsenal this summer amid interest from the Saudi Pro League.
Clubs in Italy and Turkey have also registered their interest in Trossard, and so he looks to be on the move soon after talks over a new contract at the Emirates hit a stumbling block.
Mikel Merino shares Arsenal pre-season update
Arsenal’s pursuit of more attackers this summer is largely born out of their lack of options last term, after injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus led to Spanish midfielder Merino having to play up-front for the majority of the second-half of the campaign.
The 29-year-old took to Instagram on Wednesday (16 July) to share a new update from the Gunners’ pre-season in his home country, with pictures of him in action alongside a heartfelt message saying: “Thank you La Manga! we keep going!”
Trossard reacted to his post with a like, while Declan Rice, William Saliba, Christian Norgaard, Martin Odegaard and Myles Lewis-Skelly were among those that followed suit.
Trossard should leave Arsenal amid their summer spending
Football Insider verdict
Trossard has mostly played a back-up role at the Emirates over the last few years, but he did manage to make 28 league starts last term, which came mostly as a result of Gabriel Martinelli’s inconsistent form.
The 30-year-old can be a top Premier League winger when he is on his game, and he recently netted 10 goals and 10 assists in 56 appearances last term, which is a healthy return but can be improved on.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 124 | 28 | 23 |
Arsenal’s current summer plans indicate that he may well be allowed to leave the club, and Trossard himself should want to depart if he is going to offered less game-time by Arteta
Bayern Munich are believed to be interested in a move for his services right now [The Guardian], after Fenerbahce were thought to be closing in but talks have been put on hold just as he prepared to fly to Istanbul to meet with with the Turkish giants.
Joining a top club like Bayern would be a great move for him at his age, and it does feel like his time in North London is coming to a natural end with Arsenal moving for Madueke and linked to Rodrygo.