The agent of Leandro Trossard has demanded a transfer for the Brighton star following a row with boss Roberto De Zerbi. Newcastle United are one of several clubs linked with the in-form Belgium international, with Magpies scouts watching the attacker at the World Cup.
Trossard has enjoyed an impressive start to the season with the Seagulls, netting seven times in the Premier League before earning his World Cup call-up. The 28-year-old has 18 months' left on his contract at the Amex, and will refuse to sign an extension as a result of the public falling out.
De Zerbi dropped Trossard from the squad for Saturday's top-flight clash with Liverpool, claiming the attacker had left training early without possession. However, agent Jody Comhair insists his client has a calf injury and detailed the breakdown of the relationship between the player and the Brighton manager.
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In a statement given to Sky Sports, Comhair said: "Leandro still was a first-11 player against Southampton and Arsenal but against Everton he was on the bench. In the five substitutions that took place then, he was also not among them and this without any explanation.
"In the run-up to the match against Middlesbrough for the FA Cup, Leandro had already reported calf problems twice. This was the reason he stopped training. This was in consultation with the medical staff.
"Through the physical trainer Leandro learned that he had to train separately. Last Monday the trainer [De Zerbi] then grounded Leandro in the group and indicated that he did not want to see him anymore.
"A trainer who has not communicated directly with his player for four weeks is truly incomprehensible. It is also the trainer who has indicated several times that a transfer is the most reasonable solution. It is therefore important that Brighton cooperate this mercato [transfer window] with a potential transfer."
Trossard has started in two of Brighton's five fixtures since the World Cup, but did not feature in the most recent outings against Everton and Middlesbrough. De Zerbi addressed the row at an earlier press conference on Friday.
The Brighton boss said: "He left the session without saying anything to me. And it's not good, I spoke with him and I explained this attitude, behaviour, I don't like."
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