Arsenal have signed Leandro Trossard from Brighton in a £27million deal.
The Athletic reported on Thursday that Arsenal were working on a deal to sign the 28-year-old after turning their attention to him, before the two Premier League sides agreed a deal later in the day.
The Belgium international has signed a long-term deal at the north London club. Arsenal are hoping he has been registered in time to face Manchester United on Sunday.
Trossard, who will wear the No 19 shirt, trained on Friday ahead of this weekend’s game at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta said on his arrival: “It is good work from everyone at the club to complete the signing of Leandro. He is a versatile player with high technical ability, intelligence and a great deal of experience in the Premier League and at international level.
“Leandro strengthens our squad as we head into the second part of the season and we’re all looking forward to working with him. We welcome Leandro and his family to Arsenal Football Club.”
He later said during his pre-match news conference: “We are really happy to have him. He’s a player we’ve followed for a while. He can have an immediate impact in the team. We had to think short term but also medium and long term.”
Arsenal missed out on a deal to sign Mykhailo Mudryk earlier this month. Mudryk has joined Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Trossard, who scored seven goals in 17 appearances for Brighton this season, did not play for the south coast side since their 4-2 loss to Arsenal at the end of December.
He left a training session early, according to Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi, and was therefore dropped from the side. Trossard’s agent Josy Comhair accused De Zerbi of humiliating the player.
De Zerbi defended his treatment of Trossard, however, and said this week “it’s not a bad situation, it’s a great situation”.
When asked about Trossard’s departure during a press conference on Friday, the Italian manager said: “The situation was difficult, because I understood he wanted to leave.
“I’m sorry for the last period. I prefer when people are clear.
“We are a good team and we can play well with Leo and without Leo.”
Arsenal are top of the Premier League by eight points after 18 games with their next fixture against Manchester United on Sunday.
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