Leandro Trossard has rocked Brighton by asking to leave the club following a falling out with manager Roberto De Zerbi.
The Belgium international has enjoyed a superb season at the AMEX Stadium, scoring seven times including a hat-trick against Liverpool this term.
Trossard was benched for Brighton’s last Premier League game against Everton on 3 January and missed last weekend’s FA Cup win over Middlesbrough with De Zerbi insisting his absence was down to a minor injury.
The Daily Mail reported on Friday the 28-year-old has been banished from the Brighton training ground, with the manager later confirming he will have no role to play against Liverpool this weekend after exhibiting a poor attitude in training.
Trossard’s current deal at Brighton expires in the summer and while there is an option to extend it, the relationship between the club and player appears irreparable.
In an explosive statement released by Trossard’s agent Josy Comhair, it is claimed De Zerbi has not spoken to the player since a training ground bust-up involving the Belgian and a teammate, describing the manager’s actions as ‘truly incomprehensible.’
The statement also urges Brighton to immediately ‘co-operate with a potential transfer’.
‘Before Leandro left for Qatar, it was Brighton’s intention to extend his contract, this did not happen as parties did not reach an agreement. Leandro has also indicated he is ready for his next step,’ the statement read.
‘After the World Cup there was an altercation at training between Leandro and another player over an inanity. Since then, the trainer has not spoken to Leandro, which is obviously not conducive to the atmosphere, as well as performance-wise.
‘Leandro still was a first-eleven 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 is without any explanation.
‘In the run-up to the match against Middlesbrough in 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 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 cooperates with a potential transfer, which is beneficial for both parties.’
Chelsea and Tottenham are both reportedly keen on signing Trossard with Newcastle United also credited with interest.
The former Genk star has previously suggested he would be keen to reunite with his former Brighton boss Graham Potter at Chelsea, telling Het Nieuwsblad in September: ‘If the opportunity arises, I want to go. But I want to play and not sit on the bench.’
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