Roberto De Zerbi has apologised to departing star Leandro Trossard after the Belgian was unveiled by new club Arsenal.
Trossard, who had been with the Seagulls since 2019, moved to the Emirates Stadium in a move worth up to £27m. De Zerbi had earlier admitted regret over how the situation developed, having banished the forward from the squad for the recent Premier League victory over Liverpool.
Brighton now have the funds to dip into the market for a replacement, while Arsenal could hand Trossard his first minutes against Manchester United on Sunday with manager Mikel Arteta believing the club completed the relevant paperwork in time.
“I’m sorry for the last period, but I still would like to wish Leandro good luck for the future,” De Zerbi said as Brighton confirmed the transfer. The former Genk man scored a hat-trick against Liverpool in the current manager's first game in charge and has seven league goals so far this season.
“I’m sorry for the last period because I prefer when people are clear, not when there is some different behaviours," the former Shakhtar Donetsk boss had said earlier, confirming Trossard had wanted to leave. “But we will see. I think we are a good team, we can play well with Leo or without Leo.”
With Trossard not involved last time out, two goals from Solly March and one from Danny Welbeck helped De Zerbi's team with their reverse fixture against the Reds. They have also invested in younger forwards and attacking midfielders already this season, including a move for Argentine youngster Facundo Buonanotte earlier in the January window.
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"He left the session without saying anything to me, and it's not good," De Zerbi previously said of Trossard ahead of leaving him out of the squad for the victory over Liverpool. "I spoke with him and I explained this attitude, behaviour, I don't like."
"I am open with him (Trossard) 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 per cent. I don't know about the transfer market, if he wants to change teams or not."
At the time, Trossard's agent Josy Comhair suggested a transfer would be "the most reasonable solution" for player and club. Comhair urged the Seagulls to cooperate over an exit, which they have done with the sale to Arsenal.
Brighton's first game of the post-Trossard era sees them take on Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday. The Belgian will have to wait until May for a chance to face his former employers, with Arsenal hosting De Zerbi's team in the third-from-last game of the season.
