Trossard to Besiktas for €20m
Leandro Trossard is leaving. Arsenal and Besiktas have reached an agreement for the Belgian winger, worth €20 million (1) (2) (3). The deal is done, and Trossard could earn around €7 million per year in Turkey (2). He contributed to last season's Premier League title win, and that chapter is now closed. The move also clears a path for Arsenal to pursue bigger attacking targets this summer (5) (6).
Arsenal make formal enquiry for Kenan Yildiz
Arsenal have made a formal enquiry for Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz (9). The 21-year-old operates on the left and fits the profile Arteta wants as the club looks to phase out Martinelli, with Trossard now heading out the door (9). No fee has been reported yet.
Barcola prefers Arsenal over Liverpool
Bradley Barcola wants London. The PSG forward is attracting interest from both Arsenal and Liverpool, but sources say he prefers a move to the Emirates (11). No formal bid yet, but the Trossard sale could accelerate things.
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Kounde offered to Arsenal
Barcelona have made Jules Kounde available, and Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign him (12). He would arrive as a potential replacement for Ben White on the right side of defense. No decision yet from the club.
De Maesschalck named academy director
Pascal De Maesschalck is the new academy director. He replaces Per Mertesacker, who oversaw Hale End as graduates like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly broke into the first team (8). De Maesschalck arrives from Strasbourg, bringing experience from Monaco and Club Brugge (8).
Rice carrying injury ahead of England vs Mexico
Declan Rice is managing an injury but is expected to start for England against Mexico in the World Cup round of 16 (10). Thomas Tuchel looks set to name him in the lineup. No official word on the nature of the issue, but it is not thought to be serious (10).
Desailly hopes Saliba joins Real Madrid one day
Marcel Desailly has opened the door publicly. The former France defender said: "I hope that William Saliba will one day wear the Real Madrid shirt. He has a contract with Arsenal for the next, I don't know, four years. But he's young, so why not?" (13). He added that now is not the time, but "all the best players want to play for Real Madrid at some point" (13).
Fan reactions
The Trossard news has split opinion. Some fans see the €20m fee as decent business that unlocks bigger moves, while others feel it is on the low side for a title-winning contributor. Meanwhile, the Monga miss stings, the 16-year-old Leicester winger is heading to Manchester City for £12.5m despite Arsenal's pursuit, and the subreddit is not hiding its frustration. On a lighter note, Saliba's recovery pace against Almiron is doing the rounds again, and he also started for France in their 1–0 win over Paraguay in the World Cup round of 16. Transfer target prices | Monga to City | Saliba vs Almiron
