Brighton winger Leandro Trossard has reportedly left the UK after being told he would play no part in Saturday's Premier League match against Liverpool.
The news follows reports that the 28-year-old has been banished from first-team training at Brighton as a result of problems with his attitude.
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has revealed that Trossard left a training session early without permission after finding out he wouldn't play against Middlesborough in the FA Cup earlier this month.
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"Leandro knows very well my opinion. The last session before the Middlesbrough game, when he understood he wasn't playing, he left the session without saying anything," said the Brighton boss.
"That isn't good. On Monday I spoke with him and explained I don't like this attitude."
Now, in a further twist of events, the Belgian is reported to have boarded the Eurostar on Friday, with his final destination believed to be his homeland.
Trossard demanding transfer
Trossard is Brighton's joint top scorer this season with seven goals in all competitions, including a hat-trick against Liverpool at Anfield.
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The Belgium international is out of contract in the summer, although Brighton hold an option to extend his deal by a further 12 months.
However, the winger is now seeking to leave the Premier League club on a permanent deal, according to a statement released by the player's agency.
"He [Trossard] win't sign a new deal. A transfer is his only solution," read the statement, as reported by Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur.
Tottenham are reportedly keen to sign Trossard, who was part of Belgium's squad at the World Cup in Qatar.
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Brighton boss De Zerbi, however, has refused to comment on transfer speculation when questioned, insisting it's not his "problem."
"I don't know about the transfer market, if he wants to change teams or not. It's not my problem. I'm a coach, only a coach and the first 11, while I am the coach, I will decide," said De Zerbi, who confirmed Trossard would not be included in Brighton's squad to face Liverpool.
"I'm not thinking about the transfer market, other teams or other discussions. The only discussion is to play for the team, to work and to run on the pitch.
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"I don't know what the problem is [with Trossard]. I want to be honest because I want to be clear. I'm open with him, I'm open to taking a step back.
"If he wants to play, I'm open to listening to him, but he has to understand that, with me, I only want players who work hard, who play for the team 100 per cent."
Trossard's agent claims player was 'humiliated'
A statement released by Trossard's agent Josy Comhair says the winger is seeking to leave Brighton after feeling "humiliated".
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"Before Leandro left for Qatar, it was Brighton's intention to extend his contract, this did not happen as parties did not reach an agreement. Leandro has also indicated he is ready for his next step," read the statement, as reported by Sky Sports.
"After the World Cup there was an altercation at training between Leandro and another player over an inanity. Since then, the trainer has not spoken to Leandro, which is obviously not conducive to the atmosphere, as well as performance-wise.
"Leandro still was a first-eleven 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 is without any explanation.
"In the run-up to the match against Middlesbrough in 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 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 cooperates with a potential transfer, which is beneficial for both parties."
Topics: Brighton And Hove Albion, Premier League, Football, Liverpool
Joe Adams