Leandro Trossard. Photo: James Boyes

ARSENAL are on the brink of bolstering their squad after agreeing a deal to sign Leandro Trossard from Brighton.

Last night (Thursday) it was believed the Gunners had finalised an offer that will see them part with £20million for the Belgium international – with a series of add-ons potentially seeing the deal rise to £27m.

Trossard has been in scintillating form for the Seagulls this season, scoring seven goals and providing three assists, the highlight of which came in October when the 28-year-old scored a hat-trick at Anfield as Brighton battled out a 3-3 draw against Liverpool.

But things unexpectedly turned sour amid reports that Trossard had left training early without permission. Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi then dropped him from last Saturday’s visit of Liverpool, telling reporters: “Leandro knows very well my opinion. The last training session before the Middlesbrough game [in the FA Cup], when he understood he wouldn’t play, he left the session without saying anything to me and it’s not good.

“On the Monday, I spoke with him and I explained I don’t like this attitude, this behaviour.”

Trossard’s agent Josy Comhair then released a statement highlighting a breakdown between the player and his manager.

It seemed Tottenham were also interested in Trossard and had an offer, thought to be around £12m, rejected. Arsenal swooped in to seal a deal, and are racing to finalise matters to get the player registered by noon today (Friday) so that he will be available to play in the Gunners’ match against Manchester United on Sunday at the Emirates.

The signing will come as a relief for Gooners who are desperate to see the north Londoners strengthen their squad. It is also the perfect boon for the Premier League leaders, who missed out on top target Mykhailo Mudryk after Chelsea hijacked their deal for the Ukrainian winger.

Mikel Arteta has already made it clear that there is a tremendous team effort going on behind the scenes to try and reinforce Arsenal’s numbers this month.

The Gunners boss said: “We want to improve our squad in this transfer window and when I say we, myself, the coaching staff, the staff, the players, the board, and the ownership. We are all in this together, but we will do the deals that we can do and that we believe is right for the football club.”

Another potential deal could see Arsenal pull out all the stops to sign French winger Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen, although it is thought the Bundesliga club will be reluctant to sell the 23-year-old – who is valued at £90m – mid-season.