Arsenal: Leandro Trossard the right kind of gamble

Per James Benge of Football.London, Arsenal are interested in a move for Genk winger Leandro Trossard. The 24-year-old is the right kind of gamble.

You could very easily convince me that Arsenal’s biggest need entering the season is at least one, true wide attacker. Although there are issues in attacking midfield, centre-back and full-back, particularly on the left side, some of them would be solved by simply adding natural and proper width to the team.

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Unfortunately, wingers are quickly becoming the most expensive players in the world. Neymar and Kylian Mbappe cost £200 million each, a world-record fee. Christian Pulisic just moved to Chelsea for approximately £60 million. Ousmane Dembele was north of £100 million. Manchester City spent roughly £150 million on Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez.

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Arsenal probably don’t have that kind of money to splash — a recent Daily Mail report claimed that Unai Emery will be handed just £45 million this summer, plus player sales. Given all of the positions that need to be strengthened, it would be unreasonable to expect the Gunners to blow £70 million on a Wilfried Zaha. They must be more prudent in their spending.

This brings me to Leandro Trossard, a 24-year-old Belgian winger who has, according to James Benge of Football.London, been on the Gunners’ radar since early November. Benge claims that the club wanted to make a move in January but recognised their financial limitations and have instead shifted their attention towards a summer move instead. With Borussia Dortmund allegedly sniffing, any deal is far from complete.

Trossard, though, is precisely the type of player that Arsenal should be pursuing. He is an excellent age, has a good goalscoring record — 10 goals in 18 league games this season; seven goals in just nine Europa League matches — and should come at a relatively affordable price. Benge reports that the fee will be in the region of £20-25 million.

No one could feasibly tell you whether Trossard is ready to make the step up to the Premier League. I have never watched him kick a ball. I am not now going to profess of his brilliance. But if scouts have identified his potential, then this is the kind of deal that I can most certainly get behind.

This is the range of fee that Arsenal should be looking to excel in. Yes, the big-money signings are necessary at times, but some of the best players for City, Liverpool and Spurs have come in this range. Christian Eriksen, Saido Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero and David Silva. All of these players were signed for fees between £20 and £35 million, not the eye-watering prices that often steal all of the headlines. It is efficient, not elaborate spending that wins titles.

Whether Trossard is able to have the same brilliant impact as many of these players, I have no idea. But if Arsenal believe he is, then there is nothing wrong with taking a swing.