Rumoured Tottenham target Leandro Trossard has told Brighton he is not prepared to sign a new deal and wants to be allowed to leave the club this month.
Trossard’s relationship with manager Roberto De Zerbi is understood to be strained and the forward has been training away from the squad.
On Friday, De Zerbi said Trossard had been dropped for Saturday’s game against Liverpool for his “attitude [and] behaviour”, with the Italian claiming the Belgian left training early without permission after learning he would not start last week’s FA Cup win over Middlesbrough.
Sources close to Trossard dispute De Zerbi’s version of events, claiming he left training due to a calf problem, which medical staff were aware of, and say the head coach has not spoken directly to Trossard for four weeks -- since the player was involved in a minor altercation with teammate in training after the World Cup.
A statement released by agent Josy Comhair said: “Last Monday, the manager humiliated Leandro in the group and indicated that he no longer wanted to see him.
“Incidentally, it is also the manager who has indicated several times that a transfer is the most convenient solution.”
Contracts talks between Trossard and Brighton over a new long-term deal are understood to have broken down before the World Cup, with the former Genk player indicating he was ready for a new challenge. The club has since triggered a one-year option to keep him tied down until summer 2024.
The 28-year-old, who is Brighton’s joint-top scorer this season with seven goals, has been linked with a move to Spurs this month.
He has started two of Brighton’s five matches since the World Cup but has not featured feature in either of their last two fixtures against Everton and Boro.
Speaking at his press conference ahead of the game against Liverpool, De Zerbi 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.
“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%,” added the 43-year-old, who succeeded Graham Potter as manager in September.
“I don’t know about the transfer market, if he wants to change teams or not.”
