Arsenal set to offer new contract to star player who has interest from Saudi Pro League: Reports

Arsenal are reportedly planning to hand Leandro Trossard, who has recently been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, a new contract after the end of the January transfer window.

Trossard, who turned 30 last month, has established himself as a vital squad member for his current club since arriving from Brighton & Hove Albion in January 2023. He has helped them emerge as serious Premier League title contenders, contributing 22 goals and 15 assists in 96 games across competitions.

Now, according to the Daily Express, Arsenal are set to open contract talks with the forward in February as the player is in the last 18 months of his current contract. They have scheduled a meeting to discuss the new terms next month.

Trossard, who has attracted interest from a number of Saudi Pro League outfits of late, is said to be eager to stay at Mikel Arteta's side. He is currently unwilling to end his Gunners stint and secure a permanent move to one of his suitors.

The 41-cap Belgium international is next set to be in action in Arsenal's FA Cup match against Manchester United at Emirates Stadium this Sunday.

Arsenal told to forget about signing 25-year-old

Earlier on Tuesday (January 7), Arsenal crashed to a 2-0 EFL Cup semi-final first leg defeat to Newcastle United. Alexander Isak scored the opening goal in the 37th minute before Anthony Gordon doubled the visitors' lead in north London.

After the end of the encounter, Newcastle legend Alan Shearer claimed that his former team should not sell Isak even if Arsenal meet the asking price. He remarked on The Rest Is Football podcast (h/t Metro):

"No is the answer. Who would they go out and get who would come into Newcastle and do a similar job. We know that centre-forward is the most important position. One of the reasons they're fifth and in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup. What are the fans going to do with the money? I wouldn't sell, absolutely not."

Shearer, who is the Magpies' all-time top goalscorer, concluded:

"If you go out and spend £50 million or £60 million on another striker... who, what and where? They're difficult to find so when you've got a good one, why do you want to let him go for any price. If they've got to sell for [Profit and Sustainability Rules] PSR reasons, there will be other players that I would sell before I would sell Isak for £150 million."

Since the start of the 2023-24 season, Isak has found the back of the opposition net 34 times and provided six assists in 48 Premier League matches.