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Leandro Trossard refuses to rule out Brighton & Hove Albion exit amid Chelsea, Arsenal talk

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 05 October 2022

Trossard refuses to rule out Brighton exit amid Chelsea, Arsenal talk

Brighton & Hove Albion attacker Leandro Trossard suggests that he would be open to leaving the Seagulls amid reported interest from Chelsea and Arsenal.

Brighton & Hove Albion attacker Leandro Trossard has suggested that he would be open to leaving the Seagulls in the near future if the right opportunity arrived.

The 27-year-old has been in strong form at club level during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring five goals and registering two assists in seven Premier League appearances.

Trossard scored a hat trick in Brighton's 3-3 draw with Liverpool on Saturday, and a number of clubs are believed to be keen to sign him in 2023.

Chelsea and Arsenal are two of the teams believed to be interested in the Belgium international, who has refused to rule out a move away from the Amex.

"It's difficult to say anything about that now. It completely depends on which club would come. If I feel good and things are good on a private level... but I also know how good I am at Brighton, also with new coach Roberto De Zerbi it looks promising," Trossard told BBC Sport.

Leandro Trossard in action for Brighton & Hove Albion on August 27, 2022 © Reuters

"I have evolved tremendously. I now know how Premier League works. I've grown tremendously in that. Confidence, mentally, physically... I have become better.

"I'm a little higher up the pitch now, which gives me more chances to score a goal. And the more chances you get, the more you can score. I think that's the biggest difference from the last few years."

Trossard joined Brighton from Genk in 2019, and he has represented the Seagulls on 111 occasions in all competitions, contributing 23 goals and 13 assists in the process.

The English club are not in a strong position when it comes to his future, though, with the attacker's current deal due to expire at the end of the campaign.

Leandro Trossard celebrates scoring for Brighton & Hove Albion on August 21, 2022 © Reuters

Trossard recently confirmed that he would be interested in lining up with former Brighton boss Graham Potter at Chelsea but would want assurances over playing time at the club.

"Our coach has now left for Chelsea, but speculations about me following him are pointless. If the opportunity arises, I want to go. But I do want to play and not sit on the couch," he told reporters.

Trossard won the Belgian First Division A and the Belgian Cup during his time at Genk, while he has been capped on 21 occasions by Belgium, finding the back of the net on five occasions.

Manchester United and Newcastle United are also believed to be keeping a close eye on the attacker's situation at Brighton, with the player, as it stands, free to hold talks with foreign clubs at the start of 2023.