JOAO PEDRO was axed from Brighton’s squad against Liverpool after a reported training ground bust-up with a team-mate.
The Brazilian was left out by head coach Fabian Hurzeler for Monday’s dramatic 3-2 win at the Amex.
Pedro had been set to return to the squad after missing the last three games through suspension.
The 23-year-old was given a straight red card for throwing an elbow in last month’s 4-2 loss to Brentford.
Hurzeler told reporters Pedro missed the Liverpool game due to “private reasons”.
But The Athletic claim the forward was involved in a training ground altercation with team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke.
Pedro clashed with van Hecke ahead of Brighton’s game at Wolves on May 10.
Van Hecke played the full 90 minutes at both Molineux and the Amex, where Brighton came from behind to snatch a dramatic win.
Pedro arrived on the South Coast from Watford in the summer of 2023.
He signed for a then club record fee of £30million and is contracted until 2028.
The versatile forward has proved a hit with the Seagulls faithful, bagging 30 goals in 69 games.
This season he is the club’s joint top scorer with 10 alongside Danny Welbeck and Kaoru Mitoma.
Pedro has been linked with a summer move away from Brighton, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool touted as possible destinations.
Brighton are said to be demanding £70million for the versatile forward.
SunSport has approached Brighton for comment.
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