Ben Foster Questions Arsenal's Sale of Leandro Trossard

Ben Foster has questioned Arsenal’s decision to cash in on Leandro Trossard this summer, insisting he “can’t believe” the Premier League champions have allowed such an “influential” figure to walk away.

Trossard, a key part of the side that finally ended the club’s 22-year wait for a league title, left north London after making it clear he wanted a new challenge. The Belgian finished last season’s top-flight campaign with six goals and six assists, often providing decisive contributions in tight games.

Arsenal accepted a £15.3 million offer from Besiktas, a fee that raised eyebrows given his impact and experience. For Foster, speaking on talkSPORT, the move simply does not add up.

“I don’t like the Trossard sale, I really don’t,” the former England goalkeeper said. “I think he’s such a big, influential player for them and I can’t believe they’ve sold him.”

Arsenal moved quickly to plug the gap on the left, landing Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for around £34m. The Greece international arrives as a like-for-like option positionally, but he does so with questions attached. His previous spell in English football, a two-year stint at Norwich City, never really caught fire, and he now steps into a title-winning dressing room with a hefty price tag and expectation to match.

The London club had aimed even higher in their attacking rebuild. They pushed for a marquee move for Vinicius Junior and remained hopeful of luring the Brazilian away from Real Madrid until last week. That pursuit ended when Vinicius signed a new long-term contract at the Bernabeu, leaving Arsenal to weigh up whether to chase an alternative before the transfer window closes.

While Foster remains unconvinced by Trossard’s departure, he is far more enthusiastic about another major arrival in the Premier League: Bruno Guimaraes to Manchester United.

“Big signing, I like him a lot,” he said of the Brazilian’s move, which he views as part of a broader shift at Old Trafford.

Foster backs Manchester United for the title

Looking ahead to the new campaign, Foster sees a title race with no clear favourite, even before a ball has been kicked. Yet amid that uncertainty, he is prepared to nail his colours to one mast.

“I think it’s one of the hardest calls to make that we’ve had in recent years,” he admitted. Then he made it anyway. “I’m going to say Manchester United.”

His confidence stems from United’s late-season surge under Michael Carrick, which he believes has reset standards inside the club.

“Last season’s form has set into motion a style of play and an expectation of what those players have to deliver week in, week out for Manchester United,” Foster said.

He still sees work to do. One or two more major additions, in his view, could push United firmly into the frame.

“If they can add another one or two then Manchester United are definitely within a shout, but they need to add one or two big ones,” he argued. “The problem nowadays is that if you’re going to add one or two big ones then it’s £200m. Liverpool need a couple of big ones!”

‘Signing of the summer’ claim for Tielemans

For all the eye-watering numbers flying around, it is a deal at the lower end of the top bracket that most excites Foster. Youri Tielemans’ move from Aston Villa to Manchester United, for a fee in the region of £30m–£35m, stands out to him above the rest.

“What a bit of business,” he said. “I’ve watched a load of transfers happen, Tottenham spending a lot of money, Arsenal have just spent a lot of money, but I still think Youri Tielemans is the signing of the summer so far.

“For £30m (£35m), whatever it was, he is a ready-made, good-to-go, starting XI player and if you can spend that money on a ready-to-go starter then it’s worth every single penny.”

United’s rebuild, in Foster’s eyes, still lacks one crucial piece.

“I still think they need that one focal point striker, that one big boy striker,” he said. “The problem is, where are you going to get it from? And it’s going to cost you £100m, it’s the way it goes nowadays.”

Arsenal have gambled on replacing Trossard’s reliability with Tzolis’ potential. United, meanwhile, are stacking proven Premier League quality while hunting that elusive centre-forward. As the window ticks down and the new season looms, the question is stark: who has judged the market better?