Chelsea and Tottenham have been alerted to Leandro Trossard's availability in the January transfer window following a statement his agent has released. The Brighton star has been a standout performer in the Premier League this season, sparking speculation that he could leave the club.
Trossard has been dropped from the Brighton team to face Liverpool as the forward enters a key stage of his current contract with the Seagulls. The Belgian forward developed into a brilliant player under Graham Potter, but his relationship with new manager Roberto De Zerbi has become fractured in recent weeks.
Trossard has 18 months left on his current deal at the American Express Community Stadium but could leave the club sooner given De Zerbi's decision to exile the 28-year-old from first team training. Arsenal had registered an interest in Trossard but look set to complete a deal for Mykhaylo Mudryk, leaving just Chelsea and Tottenham to fight it out for his signature.
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Speaking ahead of the clash against Liverpool, De Zerbi said, “Leandro Trossard isn't on the list for next game. The last session before last game, when he understood he wasn't playing, he left the session without telling me anything. I told him I don't like this attitude."
De Zerbi was even open about the chances of him leaving, adding, "I don't know about the transfer market, if he wants to change teams or not. I am open with him to take a step back and listen to him but he has to understand with me, I want only players who work hard and play for the team 100%."
Following De Zerbi's comments and decision to make Trossard train alone, the Belgian's agent, Josy Comhair, has released a statement highlighting how his client has been 'humiliated'. The statement read: "Before Leandro [Trossard] left for Qatar, Brighton's intention was to have Leandro sign on [a new deal].
"This did not happen, as the parties did not come to an agreement. Leandro has also indicated that he is ready for his next step [in his career].
"After the World Cup, there was an altercation between Leandro and a player in training over a trivial matter. since then, the manager no longer speaks to Leandro, which is obviously not conducive to the atmosphere, nor is it performance-orientated.
"Leandro still had a starting place against Southampton and Arsenal, but against Everton he was on the bench. He was also not included in the five substitutions that took place at the time, and this without any explanation.
In the run-up to the game against Middlesbrough for the FA Cup, Leandro had already indicated that he had problems with his calf. This was the reason why he stopped training. This was, incidentally, in consultation with the medical staff.
"The manager told Leandro that he had to train separately. Last Monday, the manager humiliated Leandro in the group and indicated that he no longer wanted to see him.
" A manager who has not communicated directly with his player for four weeks is really incomprehensible. Incidentally, it is also the manager who has indicated several times that a transfer is the most convenient solution.
"It is therefore important that Brighton cooperates with a potential transfer during this transfer period and shows a benevolent attitude, which is beneficial to both parties."
It remains to be seen how the club will respond to this statement or whether Trossard will seal an exit from Brighton in January.
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