Arsenal hold trump card as three-way battle for key midfield target hots up
Reports claim Arsenal hold a distinct advantage over their Premier League rivals in the battle to sign Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma.
The 24-year-old has been tipped to leave the Amex Stadium this summer as he seeks a fresh challenge. He has been with the Seagulls since July 2018 and is under contract on the south coast until 2023. But Brighton’s owner admitted last month that he is prepared to sell the club’s best players for the right price.
Tony Bloom told The Athletic: “We know some of our best players are not going to be with us forever. If the right offer comes along – and it has to be the right offer – and they want to go, then they will leave.”
That was music to the ears of those who had their eyes on the Mali international. And his list of suitors includes the likes of Liverpool and Leicester City – as well as the Gunners.
It is not known what the ‘right’ price is for the African but he will not come cheap. A bid of around £50m may be required to get a deal over the line before next season.
A switch to either Anfield or the King Power Stadium would be considered a good move for the former Lille ace. But it seems as though he does not want to travel that far from his present surroundings.
90Min are reporting that he is not keen to go north and, of the interested trio, would prefer Arsenal. That will hand the Emirates outfit the edge in the race for the talented schemer.
Bissouma to revive flagging Arsenal fortunes
The north Londoners finished a disappointing eighth in the Premier League last term. Manager Mikel Arteta seemed under pressure for most of the campaign and there were rumours that he might be sacked.
But the Spaniard kept his job and will now try to turn things around. That starts with getting the right players in and landing Bissouma would be a decent coup.
There could be a midfield clear-out, with Granit Xhaka, Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira possibly leaving this summer. Bissouma would be an upgrade on what Arteta currently has at his disposal.
He is not a goalscoring threat, with just four from 95 appearances in all competitions for Brighton. But he is an all-action player and a commanding presence in the middle of the park.
That is what Arteta has been missing and he could be the first piece of the puzzle for the ex-Gunners midfielder.
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