‘We’ll cope’ – Adam Lallana says Brighton won’t miss Arsenal-bound Leandro Trossard
Adam Lallana says Brighton will be no worse off after Leandro Trossard leaves the club, with the attacker set to move to the Emirates in a £27million deal imminently.
The table-topping Gunners have been desperate to bring in cover and competition on the flanks but were gazumped in the race to sign long-time target Mykhailo Mudryk by Chelsea.
But Arsenal have wasted no time in moving for an alternative target and on Thursday they agreed a £27m fee with Brighton to sign their wantaway Belgian winger.
Trossard, who was also wanted by the likes of Tottenham and Marseille, has already agreed personal terms and Arsenal have until midday on Friday to register him in time to be part of the squad that takes on Manchester United on Sunday.
The 28-year-old’s departure is the latest in a long line of talented players to leave the Amex in recent years, though Lallana is not concerned and feels Brighton will cope just fine without him.
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.’
Trossard had a falling out with Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi shortly after returning from the World Cup after leaving a training session early, though Trossard’s agent later accused the Italian of ‘humiliating’ the player.
De Zerbi defended his treatment of the Belgian afterwards and opened the door for him to return to the squad after dropping him for wins over Everton and Liverpool, though the forward has been adamant he wants to leave.
‘I want to be clear about Trossard. I’m sorry for the situation,’ said the Italian coach after hammering Liverpool at the weekend.
‘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.’
MORE : Arsenal agree £27m transfer fee with Brighton for Leandro Trossard
MORE : David de Gea complains Arsenal have unfair advantage ahead of Manchester United showdown
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