Auston Trusty is set to leave Arsenal on a permanent deal this summer, football.london understands. The American international joined in January 2022 before immediately being loaned back out for the remainder of the season. He spent last year with Championship side Birmingham City where he was awarded the player of the year award for his outstanding displays.
Despite this, though, the Gunners are ready to cash in on the American who is still yet to play a game for his parent club. Trusty has previously expressed a desire to play in the Premier League. "As a player you want to play with the best, wherever that is," he told Birmingham Live last month. "Right now the Prem is probably the best league in the world so that is obviously the goal for myself and my future."
Trusty is set to be followed out the exit door by Folarin Balogun and Nicolas Pepe. Both have enjoyed successful loan spells out in France this season. Balogun in particular has been in stunning form, outscoring the likes of Neymar and Lionel Messi by netting 21 times in Ligue 1 for Stade de Reims.
After this run of form, the American striker is keen to be first choice next season, and with Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard currently ahead of him, that is unlikely to happen at Arsenal. As a result the Gunners are open to selling him with RB Leipzig understood to be among the frontrunners for his signature.
Pepe meanwhile is no longer a part of Mikel Arteta's plans after being bombed out of the squad towards the end of the 2021/22 season. The Ivorian has just one year left on his current contract, and although Arsenal are keen to garner a fee for him, plans have been made for the termination of his contract if required.
These exits mark a fresh new approach from Arsenal to the loan system. Whereas in the past players like Serge Gnabry and Ismael Bennacer have been allowed to leave for minimal fees following underwhelming spells with other clubs, the Gunners - led by loan manager Ben Knapper - are now keen to use the loan market in order to maintain or increase the value of some of their unwanted players.
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Knapper is understood to be in regular contact with the Gunners loan army. It is thought that he provides regular updates to Edu on the status of the Arsenal players who are away from the club.
Several other loanees from last season are expected to make permanent moves away from north London this summer. Pablo Mari will be the first once his £5.9million move to AC Monza is made official.
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