Tottenham chances of signing explosive attacker soar after Liverpool axing spells beginning of the end

A Brighton attacker is a step closer to the exit door after Roberto De Zerbi explained why he’s been axed from the squad to face Liverpool this weekend, and a report reckons it’s great news for Tottenham.

Leandro Trossard has been among Brighton’s stand-out performers this season, returning figures of seven goals and three assists in the Premier League alone.

He notched a memorable hat-trick at Anfield during a 3-3 draw back on October 1. Trossard was near-unplayable on the day and his superb form at club level saw him feature heavily for Belgium in Qatar.

However, Trossard has been conspicuously marginalised at the AMEX of late.

He was an unused substitute during Brighton’s 4-1 victory over Everton 10 days ago, and was later ruled out of their FA Cup clash with Middlesbrough with an apparent calf injury.

The Daily Mail recently reported Trossard has been banished from first-team training amid concerns over his attitude behind closed doors. The newspaper are of the belief a Trossard exit at some stage in 2023 is the likeliest outcome.

Tottenham, Arsenal queueing up for Trossard

Trossard has entered the final 18 months of his contract and talkSPORT recently put north London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal in the mix for his signature.

Arsenal’s interest will likely only be acted upon if they fail to land Mykhaylo Mudryk. Instead, Spurs look a better bet, especially with Lucas Moura due to depart at season’s end.

Now, speaking in a press conference on Friday, Brighton boss De Zerbi revealed Trossard will not be considered for selection against Liverpool on Saturday.

That’ll set alarm bells ringing in north London, and will also be greeted warmly at Anfield given Trossard’s previous display against the club.

De Zerbi angry at Trossard “behaviour”

“Leandro isn’t in the list of players for tomorrow,” said De Zerbi (via the PA).

“He left [a training] session without saying anything to me. And it’s not good. I spoke with him and I explained this attitude, this 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 per cent.”

When probed on whether Trossard wants out of Brighton this month, the Seagulls boss concluded: “I don’t know about the transfer market, if he wants to change teams or not.”

At 28, Trossard is in the prime of his career and would represent a readymade option for any side willing to take a punt.

However, any such club will likely seek clarification on the exact nature of Trossard’s alleged attitude problems first.

The last thing any club wants to do is make a costly mid-season transfer mistake, especially for a player who could seemingly be a bad influence.

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