Their personalities have rubbed against each other for a while now. It played out behind the dressing-room door, away from the cameras.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
Difficult conversation with the manager
Moderate
Cause
The discussion covered general matters.
Praised by the manager
Major
Cause
The discussion covered general matters.
Asked the manager for a private conversation
Serious
Cause
He has unresolved concerns over his contract. His relationship with the manager is steady but tense. He has already raised this with the manager recently.
Stage: the bid was rejected. It became public after the bid was rejected. It would be a lateral move. A bid has already been rejected. The talk has begun to distract him.
Stage: concrete interest. The interested club has formally approached. It would be a lateral move. He is the kind of player whose camp likes the noise. The talk has begun to distract him.
Outlook
Expectations may build after a stand-out moment.
He has started to want: His place back
Mind
He has said it out loud: Permission to leave if the offer is right