Trossard set for Istanbul medical as Besiktas deal nears completion

Leandro Trossard appears to be on the verge of leaving Arsenal after three and a half seasons at the Emirates Stadium. The Belgium international is reportedly booked to travel to Istanbul next Wednesday to undergo a medical and complete a €20 million transfer to Besiktas.

The 31-year-old forward has just returned from the 2026 World Cup, where his country were eliminated by Spain. With that tournament out of the way, his camp has been able to accelerate talks over a move that has been brewing for some time. Turkish sources indicate that Besiktas will pay a €20 million fee and hand Trossard a three-year deal with an option for a fourth season. The contract is said to be worth €9 million per year plus bonuses.

Trossard has been an important figure for Arsenal during his time in north London. He played a key role in the club's Premier League title triumph in the 2025/26 campaign, as well as their run to the Champions League final. One of his most memorable contributions came when he scored a late winner away at West Ham United, a result that effectively sealed the title race in Arsenal's favour. In total, he scored 36 goals in 174 appearances for the Gunners.

The timing of the sale makes sense from a financial perspective. This summer represents Arsenal's last realistic opportunity to command a significant fee for Trossard before his value begins to decline with age. However, letting him go is not without risk. Replacing a proven, versatile attacker who has delivered in high-pressure moments will not be straightforward, and the club's recruitment team will need to identify a suitable long-term replacement.

For Besiktas, landing a player of Trossard's calibre would be a major statement. The Süper Lig side are eager to strengthen their attacking options and believe the Belgian's experience in the Premier League and on the international stage will add quality to their forward line. The deal is edging closer to completion, and all signs point to it being wrapped up in the coming days.

Should the transfer go through, Arsenal will free up wages and generate a solid transfer fee, but they will also lose a squad member who has consistently stepped up in big matches. Whether that proves to be a shrewd piece of business or a mistake will only become clear once the new season gets under way. Stay tuned to latest news for more updates on this developing story.