Besiktas Confirm Talks to Sign Arsenal Winger Leandro Trossard in €20m Deal
Turkish powerhouse Besiktas have made a major move in the summer market, officially confirming that they are in advanced negotiations to sign Belgian forward Leandro Trossard from Arsenal.
In a formal declaration submitted to the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP), the Istanbul club announced that discussions are ongoing both with Arsenal and with Trossard himself over a permanent transfer.
The statement from Besiktas read:
“Negotiations have commenced with professional football player Leandro Trossard and his club, The Arsenal Football Club Public Limited Company, regarding his permanent transfer.”
Financial Package: €18m + €2m in Bonuses
Details emerging after the announcement reveal that Besiktas have struck an agreement on the framework of a €20 million deal. Arsenal are set to receive a guaranteed €18 million fee, with a further €2 million to be paid in performance-related add-ons.
These bonuses are understood to be tied to individual and team achievements, potentially including appearances, goals, and club success in domestic and European competitions. Taken together, the package represents a significant investment by Besiktas and a respectable return for Arsenal on a player entering the latter stages of his career.
Contract Structure: 3+1 Years in Istanbul
The 31-year-old Belgium international is expected to sign a 3+1 year agreement with Besiktas. The deal will initially run for three seasons, with the club holding an option to extend the contract for a fourth year, depending on performance and mutual agreement.
Such a structure gives Besiktas long-term security while retaining flexibility if circumstances change. For Trossard, it offers stability in what could be the most substantial contract of his career.
Salary Terms: €7 Million Per Season
Reports indicate that Trossard will earn an annual salary of €7 million in Istanbul. This figure is slightly lower than some early local speculation, which suggested the winger might be in line for a €9-10 million yearly wage.
Even at €7 million, he will rank among the highest earners in the Turkish Süper Lig, underlining the scale of Besiktas’ ambition and their determination to attract proven international quality.
President Adalı Personally Leading the Talks
Besiktas president Serdal Adalı has assumed direct responsibility for closing the transfer. Together with vice president Murat Kılıç, Adalı flew to Maastricht in the Netherlands on Tuesday morning to finalize the key elements of the agreement with Arsenal and the player’s camp.
Their trip underscores how central Trossard is to Besiktas’ sporting project. High-level involvement at this stage usually signals that the broad terms are in place and that the remaining focus lies on contractual fine print and logistical details.
Private Jet Arrival and Planned Fan Reception
Once the final documents are prepared, Trossard is scheduled to travel to Istanbul on Adalı’s private jet. His arrival is expected at 20:30 local time on Tuesday evening, and a large contingent of Besiktas supporters is preparing to greet him at the airport.
The club’s fanbase, known for generating some of the most intense atmospheres in European football, is planning a high-profile welcome, complete with chants, banners, and flares. Such scenes have become a hallmark of Besiktas unveilings when a marquee signing arrives in the city.
After landing, Trossard will undergo routine medical examinations before signing his contract and being officially presented as a Besiktas player.
Decision Made After the 2026 World Cup
Trossard is understood to have settled on his next career move shortly after Belgium’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
During the tournament, the winger played in six matches and scored two goals, reinforcing his reputation as a technically gifted, versatile attacker capable of influencing games at the highest level. His World Cup performances ensured there was serious interest from several clubs, but Besiktas appear to have convinced him with a clear sporting project and a leading role in their lineup.
Why the Move Makes Sense for Arsenal
Trossard’s existing contract at Arsenal runs until 2027, but the London club have judged that this is the right moment to cash in.
From Arsenal’s perspective, a €20 million package for a 31-year-old offers both financial and sporting benefits. The transfer fee can be reinvested into younger signings, while his departure frees up a considerable portion of the wage bill. That gives Arsenal greater flexibility to target long-term additions in key positions as they continue to rebuild their squad.
The move also reduces congestion in wide and attacking midfield positions, where competition for minutes is already intense. Allowing Trossard to leave under these conditions provides a balanced outcome for both player and club.
A Statement of Intent from Besiktas
For Besiktas, securing Trossard is more than just a high-profile arrival; it sends a clear signal about the club’s ambitions.
They are not only aiming to challenge for the Süper Lig title but also to re-establish themselves as a serious force in European competitions. Bringing in a current international with Premier League and World Cup experience fits perfectly with a strategy focused on combining proven quality with local talent.
Trossard’s technical ability, creativity between the lines, and versatility across the front line should immediately raise the level of the attack. He can operate on either wing, as a second striker, or in a more central playmaking role, giving the coach multiple tactical options.
Tactical Impact and Role in the Team
On the pitch, Trossard is expected to become one of the focal points of the Besiktas attack. His capacity to drift inside from the left, link play in tight spaces, and contribute both goals and assists should complement the existing attacking core.
In matches where Besiktas dominate possession, he will likely be tasked with unlocking deep-lying defenses. Against tougher opposition, his experience, movement, and decision-making in transition could prove decisive. Set pieces may also become an important weapon, as Trossard has shown the ability to deliver accurate corners and free-kicks.
Dressing Room Experience and Leadership
Beyond his on-field impact, Trossard brings valuable experience from top-level environments in England and with the Belgian national team.
Besiktas will expect him to act as a leader in a squad that often blends seasoned names with younger prospects. His insight into elite training standards, match preparation, and mental resilience in high-pressure situations should prove useful over the course of a demanding domestic and European calendar.
Pressure, Expectations, and the Next Phase of His Career
Moving to a club like Besiktas also comes with pressure. The expectations in Istanbul are enormous, and foreign stars are quickly judged by their ability to influence big games and deliver trophies.
For Trossard, this transfer represents a pivotal chapter in the latter stage of his career. He will arrive as one of the marquee names, expected to perform consistently and carry responsibility in decisive moments, from title clashes to high-stakes European ties.
If he adapts well to the Süper Lig’s intensity and Besiktas’ unique atmosphere, the move could cement his status as a key figure in the club’s modern history.
What Happens Next
The next formal steps are clear: completion of the medical tests, signing of the contract, and official unveiling. Besiktas are likely to stage a public presentation at their stadium, giving supporters another opportunity to welcome their new star.
Once all procedures are completed, attention will turn immediately to his integration into the squad: building fitness to match the team’s demands, understanding tactical instructions, and developing chemistry with his new teammates on the training ground.
In financial, sporting, and symbolic terms, the Trossard move has all the ingredients to be one of the defining transfers of the Turkish summer window. Both clubs appear to come away with clear benefits, while the player himself steps into a central role at one of the most passionate clubs in European football.