Exclusive: Tottenham Leandro Trossard transfer development after shock Brighton decision

Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Leandro Trossard has been isolated by Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi, LondonWorld can exclusively reveal. The Belgium international has not been himself since returning from the World Cup the Albion boss has not been impressed with his attitude.

Spurs are monitoring the situation of the Seagulls attacker, who in October became the first away player to score a hat-trick at Anfield since Andrey Arshavin in 2009. It has been widely reported that Trossard’s contract expires this June, but Brighton have already activated the option for a further year.

Trossard will not be available on a free transfer in 2023, but rather in June 2024, meaning Antonio Conte’s side will have to cough up a fair wad of cash to acquire his signature. The 28-year-old could be worth it, though, as he has been in fine form this campaign, netting seven goals and contributing three assists in 16 Premier League appearances.

He is Albion’s top scorer ahead of Pascal Gross, who has six goals to his name this season. Trossard was a bit of a nemesis for Spurs last campaign as he scored a last-minute winner for Brighton last April in a 1-0 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The attacker could soon make north London his new home, however.

As things stand, no contact has been made to Brighton for Trossard but there is still plenty of time left in the January transfer window. Tottenham are likely to bring in another winger either this month or in the summer after the decision was made to not renew Lucas Moura’s contract.

Trossard being single out by Brighton follows an admission from De Zerbi last week. “I’d like to always play with Leo in the first eleven, but it doesn’t depend only on me, it depends on Leo,” De Zerbi told The Athletic. “With me I want players that work for the team on the pitch and Leandro knows very well my opinion, my idea.

“I’ve spoken a lot of times with him. I like him as a player, but I want more from him, because he can play better, he can work harder, he can run more on the pitch and I want players who give 100 per cent in every training session and every game. Without these characteristics, then they can’t play with me.”

Brighton take on Liverpool at the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon and it is very unlikely that Trossard will feature, even despite his three goals in the reverse fixture earlier this term.