Leandro Trossard’s agent says the Belgium forward wants to leave Brighton and will not sign a new contract after falling out with boss Roberto De Zerbi.
De Zerbi has dropped Trossard, 28, from his squad for the game with Liverpool on Saturday after leaving training early without permission.
However, agent Josy Comhair says Trossard had a calf injury, adding that the pair have not spoken for a month.
Comhair says a January transfer will be “beneficial for both parties.”
In a statement to Sky Sports, Comhair said Trossard was willing to sign an extension to his current deal, which expires in 2024, before leaving for the World Cup but failed to reach an agreement.
After his return from the tournament Comhair says he had a falling out with a team-mate during training and claims De Zerbi has not spoken to him since.
Then after leaving training early before the FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough – which De Zerbi says was without permission – Trossard has been made to train alone.
“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,” said Comhair.
“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.”
Speaking at a news conference earlier on Friday De Zerbi said Trossard had been dropped from the squad because of his poor attitude.
“He left the session without saying anything to me. And it’s not good,” said De Zerbi. “I spoke with him and I explained this attitude, behaviour, I don’t like.”
Trossard, 28, is Brighton’s joint top scorer this season with seven goals in all competitions, including a hat-trick at Anfield in the first meeting between his side and Liverpool this season.
He has started two of Brighton’s five matches since the World Cup break but has not featured in either of their past two games against Everton and Middlesbrough.
There have been rumours linking the winger, who joined Brighton from Belgian side Genk in 2019, with a move away from the Seagulls this month.
“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%,” said De Zerbi, who succeeded Graham Potter as manager in September.
“I don’t know about the transfer market, if he wants to change teams or not.”
Brighton are eighth in the Premier League but will go above seventh-placed Liverpool with a win at the Amex Stadium on Saturday (15:00 GMT).
