Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keeping a close eye on the situation of Brighton & Hove Albion attacker Leandro Trossard.
The 28-year-old has caught the eye with his displays for the Seagulls in the Premier League this term, coming up with seven goals and three assists in 16 appearances in all tournaments.
Trossard's form earned him a spot in Belgium's squad for the 2022 World Cup, but he failed to score or assist in three group-stage matches as the Red Devils failed to make the knockout rounds.
The attacker has now entered the final six months of his contract with Brighton, who do possess the option to extend his stay for an additional year, but he is thought to be attracting interest from European-competing clubs.
Arsenal, Newcastle United and Chelsea were both linked with a move for the former Genk man before the New Year, although Liverpool are said to have turned down the chance to sign him.
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Now, the Daily Mail claims that Tottenham have joined the list of clubs keeping tabs on Trossard, who has experienced a downturn in fortunes over the New Year period.
The Belgian was an unused substitute as the Seagulls crushed Brighton & Hove Albion 4-1 in the Premier League last Tuesday, and he did not make the squad for their FA Cup third-round win over Middlesbrough at the weekend.
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi revealed that a calf problem kept Trossard out of the FA Cup, but he has also sent a stark warning to the 28-year-old over his place in the starting lineup.
When asked about the speculation surrounding Trossard's future by The Athletic, De Zerbi responded: "I don't know. I think he's one of the best players for us and one of the most important players for us.
"I'd like to always play with Leo in the first eleven, but it doesn't depend only on me, it depends on Leo. 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.
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"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."
Trossard has recorded 25 goals and 14 assists in 121 matches for Brighton since joining the South Coast team in 2019, and his efforts this term have helped the Seagulls surge to eighth in the Premier League table.
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte will be backed with funds in January as the Lilywhites aim to tie the Italian down to a new contract, and a new creative attacking player is thought to be one of his priorities.
A new centre-back and right-wing back could also arrive at Hotspur Way, and the North London giants have been strongly linked with a move for Sporting Lisbon's Pedro Porro.
However, Chelsea are now reported to be aiming to hijack a move for the former Manchester City product, who is supposedly keen on a switch to Tottenham in January.
Ben Knapton
