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Exclusive: Trossard keen on De Bruyne link-up as Napoli chase Arsenal star

Steve Kay

Steve Kay

Updated: 21 Apr 2026 14:50 BST

5 min read

Leandro Trossard, Kevin de Bruyne, Napoli

© IMAGO

Napoli are showing a strong interest in Arsenal attacker Leandro Trossard, FootballTransfers can reveal.

The Belgium international will enter the final year of his contract this summer. Trossard remains tied to Arsenal until 2027 despite receiving a pay increase last summer.

This season, the 31-year-old has been a fairly regular starter under Mikel Arteta, but his offensive output has left a lot to be desired. Trossard has netted seven goals and produced nine assists in 44 appearances across all competitions.

Arsenal are expected to dip into the market to sign a marquee left-winger this summer, which means that both Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli are facing uncertain futures.

Transfer speculation has primarily focused on the younger, more valuable Brazil international, but FootballTransfers understands that Trossard is also attracting high-profile interest.

Trossard to leave Arsenal

Sources tell us that the veteran forward is likely to leave Arsenal this summer. Due to his contract situation, the North London club will look to cash in on the Belgian.

Serie A giants Napoli are the club showing the strongest interest in Trossard at present. They are determined to add more firepower this summer, and the Arsenal man features prominently on the club's shortlist of targets.

Leandro Trossard

© IMAGO - Leandro Trossard

The reigning Serie A champions' attack has been hit-and-miss this season. Noa Lang and Lorenzo Lucca were signed for a combined €51 million in the summer, but both lasted just six months before being loaned out.

January loanee Alisson Santos has looked promising and is expected to have his move made permanent, but Napoli nevertheless want to add more potency and experience in the attacking department. They are even willing to make it worth Arsenal's while.

Despite Trossard's age and contract situation, we understand that Napoli would be prepared to pay a very respectable fee of up to €18m for him. This would be a great deal for Arsenal, who only paid €24m for the Belgian in January 2023.

As for Trossard, he is understood to be very receptive to Napoli's interest. The idea of playing a starring role for the club, alongside compatriot Kevin de Bruyne, appeals to him.

We can also reveal that runaway Serie A leaders Inter are monitoring the Belgian's situation, as are several other clubs. However, the mutual appreciation between Trossard and the Partenopei makes Naples his most realistic destination at this stage.

Leandro Trossard compared to other Premier League wingers this season

© SciSports/FootballTransfers - Leandro Trossard compared to other Premier League wingers this season

Analysis: Trossard well-suited to Serie A

Trossard and Serie A could be a match made in heaven, according to data from analytics firm SciSports. Using the company's Career Advice tool, which calculates a Club Fit rating based on development prospects, playing time and stylistic suitability, we can see that he would thrive in Italy.

Both Inter and Napoli rank really well for Trossard. The former are his best-suited club with a score of 83 out of 100. Napoli, meanwhile, clock in at 79, with Ligue 1 side Marseille sandwiched in between.

Unlike OM, both Inter and Napoli get full marks in the playing style category, suggesting that Trossard would be an ideal fit. Fiorentina, whose recruitment is now led by the ambitious Fabio Paratici, could also be an interesting destination, as per the data.

In short, a transfer to Italy would be a very sensible move for Trossard.

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