Arsenal have reportedly rejected a bid from Al Ittihad for attacker Leandro Trossard.
The 29-year-old started his first Premier League fixture of the season on Saturday afternoon, when the Gunners faced off against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates.
A contentious red card for Arsenal's Declan Rice allowed the Seagulls to grow back into the game in the second period and secure a share of the points courtesy of Joao Pedro's strike.
Featuring three times so far this term for Mikel Arteta's troops, the Belgian winger opened his account with a goal off the bench at Aston Villa on August 24.
Since linking up with Arsenal from South-coast club Brighton in January 2023, Trossard has turned out on 71 occasions for the Gunners, scoring 19 times.
© Imago
Arsenal 'reject' Saudi bid for Trossard
According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal attacker Trossard is set to remain at the North London club until at least the January transfer window.
The report claims that there has been some serious interest in the 29-year-old from the Middle East during the closing stages of the summer window.
It is understood that Saudi Pro League outfit Al Ittihad are huge admirers of Trossard, who has plied his trade in the Premier League since the summer of 2019.
The Pro League side submitted a £29m bid for the services of the 37-time international, although Arsenal quickly snubbed the offer.
Featuring in every competitive match for the Gunners so far this season, Arteta views Trossard as a key part to the project in North London, meaning that the winger is not for sale.
© Imago
New targets and new competition
With Arsenal making clear of their desire to keep Trossard for the 2024-25 campaign, Al Ittihad are reportedly moving onto other attacking targets.
It is stated that the Saudi giants are now eyeing up a late swoop for Porto attacker Galeno, with Laurent Blanc's troops preparing an official bid for the Brazilian.
With all rumours of a Middle East move squashed, Trossard will now be focusing purely on cementing his spot in Arteta's preferred XI at the Emirates.
The Belgian has been battling with Gabriel Martinelli for the left-wing berth so far this term, while the recent arrival of Raheem Sterling is set to increase the competition for places even more.
Carter White
