Leandro Trossard wants to leave Brighton & Hove Albion in this transfer window, with his agent claiming on Friday that the player has been pushed out of the club since a row between the Belgium international and a team-mate.
Trossard’s agent, Josie Comheer, has also claimed that the 28-year-old striker is no longer on speaking terms with head coach Roberto De Zerbi.
Trossard, who was linked with a move away from the south coast in January this year, is yet to play for the club this year after being left on the bench against Everton and was left out of the FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough.
De Zerbi then confirmed on Friday that Trossard would not be in his squad to face Liverpool on Saturday after leaving training early without his permission.
“He left the session without telling me anything. And that’s not good,” De Zerbi said.
“I spoke to him and explained this attitude, this behavior that I don’t like.”
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But in an emergency statement released on Friday night, Trossard’s agent said the player had been unfairly frozen out.
The statement read: “Before Leandro left for Qatar, Brighton’s intention was to get Leandro to sign. This did not happen due to a lack of agreement between the parties. Leandro has also indicated that he is ready for his next step.
“After the World Cup, there was an argument between Leandro and the player in training about a trivial matter. Since then, the manager no longer speaks to Leandro, which clearly does not contribute to the atmosphere, nor is it performance oriented.
“Leandro was still a starter against Southampton and Arsenal, but against Everton he was on the bench. He was also left out of the five substitutions at the time, without any explanation.
“In preparation for the game against Middlesbrough for the FA Cup, Leandro already indicated twice that he had problems with his calf. That was the reason why he stopped training. By the way, this was after consulting the medical staff.
“The manager told Leandro that he had to train alone. Last Monday, the manager humiliated Leandro in the group and indicated that he did not want to see him anymore. A manager who has not communicated directly with his player for four weeks is truly incomprehensible. By the way, the manager has also repeatedly indicated that the most convenient solution is a transfer.”
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The statement concluded that Trossard wanted to leave Brighton immediately.
It added: “It is therefore important that Brighton engage with the potential transfer during this transfer window and show a favorable attitude which is beneficial to both parties.”
Brighton have the option to extend Trossard’s existing contract, which expires this summer, by another year until June 2024.
The 28-year-old has reportedly persistently rejected offers of a new deal in Belgium.
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(Photo: Getty Images)
