As Rangers are linked to Arsenal defender Auston Trusty, it was a link to billionaire Gunners’ owner Stan Kroenke which took the centre-back to the Premier League.
Rangers are said to have £2m interest in USA cap Auston Trusty, a towering 6ft3 centre-back who is currently on loan at Birmingham City but who is expected to return to north London in the summer.
The 24-year-old defender poses an interesting option for Rangers who have an extensive history of Stateside stars and who face a solid defensive rebuild this summer.
With Filip Helander out of contract, and Ben Davies expected to return down south, there are expected to be a number of moves in the position and Arsenal defender Auston Trusty has piqued Ibrox interest.
But fans aplenty are asking what brought the former Colorado Rapids defender to Arsenal and if you scratch below the surface you see that US billionaire Stan Kroenke is key to the deal.
US sports mogul Kroenke has investments across US sports, with the Arsenal owner also in charge of NFL outfit the LA Rams, the NBS’s Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche of the NHL.
Stan Kroenke central to Auston Trusty Arsenal switch
Auston Trusty is yet to play a competitive game for Arsenal after being signed by the club in the January of 2022 following an impressive stint in the MLS.
Speaking amid a run of solid form at St Andrews this season, Trusty revealed that a positive relationship with the Kroenkes – who are the owners of Colorado Rapids – made the Gunners his only UK destination.
Interestingly, Auston Trusty also hinted there was a business element to the transfer as Stan Kroenke looked to strengthen the ties between his dual business interests in Arsenal and the MLS club.
“I just put every other team to one side and focused on them,” Trusty said.
“I’m sure it definitely helped that the Kroenke’s were there. If there is that relationship there you definitely want to take advantage it, if that makes things smoother.
“It’s a business deal, so there is a lot of friction that goes on. If you can limit the amount of friction, then why not.”
In the same interview, the defender noted his genuine ambitions to break through into the Arsenal team permanently and become a regular feature of the side.
“To get there (Arsenal) and play every single game,” said Trusty.
“That’s the mindset I have. I want to go there, show what I can do and make my mark in the Premier League and on the team. It’s all a stepping stone, but that’s the main goal. The sky’s the limit really.”
