£43m superstar now wants to sign for Arsenal

Leandro Trossard’s goal against West Ham was an absolutely vital one for Arsenal in their quest to win the Premier League.

After finding the net late on at the London Stadium, it really did feel inevitable that the Gunners would end the season as English champions for the first time in 22 years.

Lo and behold, Trossard was not just celebrating that goal a few weeks later, he was celebrating a title win in front of the away support at Selhurst Park.

Since signing from Brighton, the Belgian has become something of a cult hero in north London but aged 31, it’s now time for the Gunners to source an upgrade.

Arsenal looking to sign Trossard replacements

Coming into the summer window one of the biggest priorities for Arsenal is bolstering their forward line.

While Mikel Arteta’s men never let PSG get away from them in the Champions League final last Saturday, the difference between the two attacks is night and day.

Arsenal may have Bukayo Saka, they may have Kai Havertz too. Yet, they are not Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue or Khivcha Kvaratskhelia.

As it happens, the Gunners have taken an interest in PSG’s Georgian superstar but that move does feel like a non-starter. A move for teammate Bradley Barcola, however does not. Arsenal are reportedly keen on the Frenchman but he’s not their top target in attack; Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is.

However, with the England man boasting a transfer valuation in the region of £100m, it’s going to take some negotiating to get the price down.

Therefore, a cheaper alternative could be found in the shape of AC Milan’s Rafael Leao. The Portuguese winger revealed to the media last weekend that he had decided that now was the time to leave the San Siro behind.

So, where could he end up? Well, if the player has his wish he will be heading to the Premier League this summer.

That’s according to Corriere dello Sport in Italy who report that Leao is ‘dreaming’ of heading to England in the transfer window, with Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea specifically name-checked as clubs he is interested in joining.

Compared to Rogers, the Milan forward is available for a bargain fee with the Italian giants hoping an asking price of £43m will be met. That doesn’t sound too steep for any English side.

How Rafael Leao compares to Trossard

While Leao is set to depart Milan, it would not be a surprise if Trossard has also played the final game for his current employers.

It would be one hell of a way for the winger to go out, winning a Premier League title and celebrating in front of one million people on the streets of north London on Sunday.

Since moving to the Emirates, the diminutive Belgian has proven to be one of the club’s best ever signings when you take into consideration the price.

Trossard signed for just £27m and has more than repaid that fee. He scored as many as 17 goals during the 2023/24 season and while his numbers waned after that campaign, he has always been the go-to man for Arteta in the big moments.

The 31-year-old has been Mr Clutch for Arsenal, not just netting that all important goal away at West Ham but popping up with vital moments right throughout his stay.

During that aformentioned 23/24 season, it was Trossard who netted a late equaliser to rescue a point against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, while he also scored against Liverpool, again versus Chelsea and bagged against Manchester United. The forward was also the man to score a vital equaliser against Bayern Munich in the Champions League knock-out stages that season.

Yet, now heading towards the back end of his career, the club’s number 19 has seen his consistency dwindle. That game against the Hammers marked his first in 25 matches. It was a real barren spell of form.

As a result, it feels like the perfect time to upgrade and in Leao, they could find just the right man for the job.

Described as “one of the best left wingers in the world” by Como scout Ben Mattinson, the Portuguese superstar has long been the main man for Milan.

This season, the 26-year-old ended the term with just ten goals and three assists in all competitions but prior to that he was electric in the famous black and red of Milan.

Last season, Leao netted 12 goals and supplied 11 assists, adding to the 15 goals and 12 assists he registered the year before. For a long time now he has been one of the most dangerous wide players in European football.

Said to be like “an early Thierry Henry” by Milan coach Stefano Pioli for the way he cuts inside from the left onto his right, the numbers are overwhelmingly positive in Leao’s favour, particularly when you compare their stats from 2024/25 when both players were more consistent.

An elite dribbler and carrier of the ball, Leao thrives when he can isolate a full-back and drive at them one on one.

He’s not quite as intricate as Trossard in small spaces but his tall and wirey frame allows him to burst past players with ease. When the Milan superstar is at full speed he is impossible to stop.

He’s a duel winner, a master of beating players, he can score goals and he’s capable of delivering regular assists.

As Arsenal look to back up their Premier League success next season, Leao feels like exactly the type of game-changing addition that Arteta needs in his attack.