Arsenal and Brighton are currently £6m apart in their valuation of Leandro Trossard as they looked to agree a fee, according to reports.
Fabrizio Romano broke the news earlier on Thursday that the Gunners and Seagulls were locked in advanced negotiations for the Belgium international.
He added that Arsenal had prepared an “official bid” after agreeing personal terms with Trossard, who has been banned from first-team training in recent weeks.
Trossard has six months left on his current deal at Brighton but the Seagulls have an option to extend his contract for a further year if they wish – but it now looks like the 28-year-old will leave in this transfer window.
Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi and Trossard have fallen out in recent weeks with his last appearance for the Premier League side coming at the end of December in a 4-2 loss against Premier league leaders Arsenal.
READ MORE: Arsenal are more likely to win the Premier League with Trossard than Mudryk
De Zerbi’s side have won all three games this month and the Brighton boss hit out at Trossard’s agent after he was accused of “bullying” the player.
He told Italian publication Repubblica: “Nothing serious happened with Trossard. But recently, he didn’t give 100 per cent in training and on matchday, that’s it on my side.
“Football deserves respect. I don’t have to apologise for anything.”
De Zerbi added: “Maybe his agent fancies selling him for a lower transfer fee… surely, Trossard didn’t tell me the truth.
“Everyone in the dressing room knows how things went. But if Trossand wants to rejoin us with the right attitude, I am happy to coach him.”
And now Daily Mail journalist Sami Mokbel has revealed details of the potential fee Arsenal will have to pay to land Trossard, he wrote on Twitter: “Regarding fee: understand Arsenal want to pay around £20m. Brighton value Trossard closer to £26m.
“Difference in valuation – but an agreement not impossible from those starting points.”
And BirminghamWorldUK journalist and Brighton content producer Charlie Haffenden insists that Tottenham’s £12m bid was “laughed off”.
He added on Twitter: “Brighton will not let go of Leandro Trossard easily, regardless of the situation between the player and manager. It can be resolved over time. Tottenham’s £12m bid laughed off. Arsenal will have to pay ~ £30m, I’m told.”
Paul Merson recently gave his views on his former club Arsenal going for Trossard, he said: “I thought his contract was up in six months’ time and he was kicking off. He has got 18 months left.
“He is a good player, a very, very good player. They will be queuing up for him, absolutely queuing up for him. There will be lots of clubs after him.”
