Brighton star aims parting dig at Leandro Trossard ahead of £27m ...

Adam Lallana claims that Brighton will be no worse off after Leandro Trossard leaves the club, with the attacker poised to seal a £27million transfer to Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s table-topping side have been chasing attacking depth in the wide positions since the January transfer window opened. However, they ended up being gazumped by Chelsea in the race to sign Ukraine star Mykhailo Mudryk.

The Gunners quickly got over that disappointment though and are now closing in on a much cheaper option.

It was reported on Thursday that they have agreed a £27m fee with the Seagulls for the Belgium international.

Trossard was also wanted by Tottenham and Marseille but, having already personal terms, he could face Manchester United on Sunday if he completes his move by midday on Friday.

The 28-year-old’s exit is the latest in a long line of talented Brighton stars supposedly moving on to bigger and better things. However, Lallana feels the south coast side will have no problem coping without Trossard.

Speaking to Sky Sports on Thursday, Lallana said: “You only need to look at the last three games without him, I think it’s been 5-1, 4-1 and 3-0.

“So as I said to you earlier, players can leave Brighton but we’ve got enough without them.

“We had enough without [Yves] Bissouma, [Marc] Cucurella, Ben White, Dan Burn, when Neal [Maupay] moved on. So if Leo moves on we’ll cope. We’re coping already.”

The main reason for Trossard’s impending exit was a falling out with boss Roberto De Zerbi after the World Cup.

The winger is known to have left a training session early, with Trossard’s agent then accusing the Brighton chief of ‘humiliating’ the player.

However, De Zerbi defended his treatment of the Belgian afterwards and was happy to welcome him back after the forward missed the Everton and Liverpool wins.

“I want to be clear about Trossard. I’m sorry for the situation,” said the Italian coach after last weekend’s win over the Reds.

“I don’t think I’ve made a mistake with him. The people inside Brighton know very well the situation.

“I’m fine with myself and I’m ready to open the doors for him, because he’s a good guy and a very important player for us.

“He changes the team, but he has to understand and to work with my attitude, in my way, because I am the coach, I decide the rules inside the dressing room, only this.”

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