Arsenal’s imminent signing of Leandro Trossard won’t affect their long-term transfer plans, claims Charles Watts.

The Lowdown: Trossard’s arrival

The Guardian has reported that Arsenal have secured a deal to sign the Belgium international from Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion for a fee potentially rising to £26m.

Mikel Arteta’s side moved in rapid time to lure the wantaway 28-year-old to the Emirates Stadium after it emerged that Trossard had fallen out with Roberto De Zerbi, leaving a move away looking inevitable.

It comes just days after priority target Mykhailo Mudryk joined London rivals Chelsea for £88.5m (via Sky Sports), with the Gunners unable to agree a deal with Shakhtar Donetsk before the Blues swooped in.

The Latest: Watts’ comments

Following the news of Trossard’s imminent arrival from the south coast, Watts said on his YouTube channel that he doesn’t expect the transfer to affect Arsenal’s long-term vision and their potential summer recruits.

He said: “I don't think this is a bad signing at all. I also don’t think that this would stop Arsenal in the summer [from] going out and still spending big money on a younger winger, a more long-term thing - because Trossard is not necessarily just an out-and-out winger.

“I don’t think that necessarily stops you going out in the summer; say you wanted to sign a [Moussa] Diaby from Leverkusen, who we know Arsenal have been linked with, I wouldn’t say that would stop a deal like that.

“If Arsenal go on and get Champions League [football] next season - which you hope from this position, they will - they’re going to need a very big, talented squad.”

“It’s not going to completely take up a place in the squad for a potential more long-term target if they decide to do that in the summer.”

The Verdict: Summer recruitment

We agree with Watts' opinion that Arsenal will surely re-enter the summer window for a younger and longer-term target just like their pursuit of Mudryk and emerging interest in Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby (via Sky Sports) suggests.

Watts' claim makes logical sense, as the Gunners were reported to have made two bids for the Ukrainian worth £57m and £62m respectively (via talkSPORT) and the majority of that money will have remained unspent, while Trossard’s deal is only coming in at an initial £21m (via The Guardian).

Ahead of Manchester City being in action on Thursday night, Arsenal are eight points clear at the top of the Premier League and 15 clear of City's opponents, Tottenham Hotspur, in fifth - meaning only a total collapse would see them fail to qualify for the Champions League.

This means more depth and quality will need to be added to the squad as Watts suggests, with Arteta seemingly reluctant to use his entire squad, having only fielded 17 players for over 100 minutes in the top flight this season.