Report: Arsenal plan to replace Trossard with £90m target

Arsenal’s quest for Premier League glory has seen Mikel Arteta eyeing potential January transfers, with Mohamed Kudus emerging as a key target. Mirror reports that Arsenal are considering a significant £90 million bid for the West Ham striker, reflecting their determination to maintain squad depth as title contention intensifies.

Kudus has been on Arsenal’s radar for a long time. The Gunners previously assessed the Ghanaian star before he joined West Ham from Ajax for £40m last August. Since arriving in the Premier League, the 24-year-old has demonstrated his worth with 16 goals and seven assists in 55 appearances across all competitions.

However, Kudus’ recent behavior has caused some controversy. During West Ham’s 4-1 defeat to Tottenham, Kudus opened the scoring but was later sent off following an altercation between Micky van de Ven, Richarlison and Pape Matar Sarr. The incident has led to an FA charge of violent conduct, which could extend his current ban by three matches. Despite this, his exceptional form has kept the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City on high alert.

Leandro Trossard, who has been a key figure since joining Arsenal from Brighton in January 2023, could leave. The Belgian international, capped 39 times, made 80 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 20 goals. With only 18 months remaining on his contract, Trossard has attracted serious interest from Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.

Saudi clubs are aggressively pursuing European talent, with Al Ittihad previously attempting to sign Trossard on loan during the summer transfer window. A permanent £40 million deal is currently in the works, potentially paving the way for Kudus’ arrival at Emirates.

If Arsenal complete the deal for Kudus, it would be another significant investment under Arteta. The Gunners have shown they are not averse to spending money to attract top talent, as evidenced by the £105 million acquisitions of Declan Rice from West Ham and Kai Havertz from Chelsea. A potential £90m move for Kudus would be in line with their ambitious transfer policy to strengthen their squad for a grueling title challenge.

Arsenal is not alone in its admiration for Kudus. Premier League heavyweights Liverpool and Manchester City have also been linked with the striker, signaling a potential bidding war if West Ham show a willingness to sell. Kudus’ current contract, which runs for almost four more years, gives West Ham a strong negotiating position.

Kudus represents the talent and goal-scoring prowess that can complement Arteta’s high-octane attacking philosophy. Despite concerns about his discipline, Kudus’ technical ability and relentless drive make him an ideal candidate to bring unpredictability to the forward line.

If Trossard does move to Saudi Arabia, Arsenal will need more than just a replacement; they will need someone who can create turning points. Kudus has already demonstrated his ability to thrive under Premier League pressure. His pace, versatility and proven scoring ability provide an edge that can make the difference in tough matches.

As the January window approaches, the excitement is palpable. While the reported price tag of £90 million is high, Arsenal’s willingness to invest heavily in talent signals their intent to end their long-standing Premier League drought. For the Gunners faithful, the addition of an outstanding player like Kudus into the ranks will only boost their trophy hopes this season.