Leandro Trossard is closing in on a move to Besiktas after the Belgian winger gave his approval to the transfer, bringing his Arsenal spell towards an unexpected but financially sensible conclusion.
The deal is understood to be worth €18m plus a further €2m in add-ons, with Arsenal having already accepted the club-to-club terms last week. Reports in England and Turkey have suggested Besiktas agreed a package with Arsenal earlier this month, with the total value of the transfer around €20m.
Trossard gives green light
The key development is Trossard’s approval. After days of uncertainty around personal terms, the 31-year-old is now expected to travel to Istanbul for his medical and contract signing.
For Besiktas, this is a major attacking statement. Trossard brings Premier League experience, Champions League pedigree and the ability to play across the front line. He can operate from the left, as a second striker, or as a false nine — a level of flexibility that could make him one of the club’s most important summer arrivals.
Arsenal cash in at the right time
From Arsenal’s perspective, the sale fits the logic of a squad refresh. Trossard has been a useful and often decisive player since arriving from Brighton in January 2023, but he has also moved into the final phase of his contract cycle.
Reports have noted that he had one year remaining on his Arsenal deal, making this the moment for the club to either renew his contract or accept a fee while his value remained strong.
The move also gives Arsenal room to reshape their attacking options. The Gunners have already been linked with new wide players as Mikel Arteta looks to keep the squad fresh after another intense season. One report claimed Arsenal have been working on attacking reinforcements, including Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis, amid Trossard’s expected departure.
A valuable Arsenal spell
Trossard may not always have been a guaranteed starter at Arsenal, but his contribution was significant. He developed a reputation as a player capable of delivering in difficult moments, whether from the bench or in rotated line-ups.
Trossard scored eight goals and provided 11 assists across all competitions last season, while making 50 appearances. The same report noted that only 21 of those appearances were starts, underlining his role as an impact player rather than a fixed first-choice option.
That made him valuable — but also vulnerable. At 31, with Arsenal looking to evolve and reduce the risk of losing players for smaller fees later, the decision to accept a €20m package appears pragmatic.
Besiktas get proven quality
For Besiktas, this deal is about more than name value. Trossard is technically sharp, tactically intelligent and experienced enough to adapt quickly to a demanding environment in Istanbul.
He also arrives with the profile of a player who can handle pressure. Turkish football rewards personality as much as ability, and Trossard’s time at Brighton, Arsenal and Belgium has prepared him for the expectation that will come with joining one of the country’s biggest clubs.
If the medical and contract signing are completed as expected, Besiktas will have secured a forward who can lift the level of their attack immediately.
The Final Third verdict
This is one of those transfers that makes sense for all parties.
Arsenal receive a respectable fee for a player entering the later stages of his contract. Besiktas land a proven European forward with quality, experience and tactical flexibility. Trossard gets a fresh challenge where he is likely to be given a bigger role and a central place in the project.
For Arsenal supporters, his departure will feel like the loss of a reliable squad player. But from a football business perspective, this is a clean exit at the right time.
Trossard gave Arsenal important moments. Now, Istanbul appears ready to give him a new stage.
