Arsenal have rejected a bid from Al Ittihad for Leandro Trossard and issued a hands-off warning to the Saudi Pro League side.
The offer involved a loan fee with an option to buy but it was deemed too low to even consider for a player of the Belgian’s importance, especially with no option to sign a replacement until January.
Trossard, scorer of 19 goals in all competitions for Arsenal, is regarded as a key member of Mikel Arteta’s squad who is not for sale at any price, according to Sky Sports.
The 29-year-old forward, a £27m signing from Brighton in January 2023, started Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against his former club on Saturday having scored from the bench in the 2-0 win over Aston Villa.
Trossard has 19 goals and 12 assists in 71 appearances for the Gunners.
The transfer window in Saudi Arabia closes at 10 p.m. on Monday.
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Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling has made acquaintance with Arsenal fans and said he is “super excited” following his deadline day loan move from Chelsea.
“I can’t wait to see you all,” Sterling said in a video on Monday.
Speaking on Sterling’s move Arsenal sporting director Edu said: “To be here on the last day of the transfer window, to get someone like Raheem Sterling, which I believe will be someone very important for the squad, who is going to give a lot to the team, it’s a pleasure.
“To be fair we never planned really to sign him when we started the transfer window, just to be very transparent for different reasons. But we always say to everyone that you have to be prepared for every single scenario.
“It makes a lot of sense to have someone like him because I’m sure he is going to add a lot to the squad.
“He has experience, he understands more than anyone in the league, he’s played in the Champions League many times.
“He won the Premier League a few times as well, so I think he can add a lot to our squad and I feel really happy to see someone like him in our squad.”
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