Yves Bissouma has just offered Arsenal and Aston Villa a huge boost in their pursuits of his services, as 90min report the Brighton & Hove Albion star has now requested a transfer.
The Mali international will enter the final year of his contract at the Amex Stadium in June, but has indicated he wishes to leave this summer. The Seagulls have not yet given up hope of convincing Bissouma to stay, but his agent made clear the chances of a new deal is low.
Bissouma believes this summer marks the point his south coast adventure should come to an end with several clubs interested. He is one of the most in-demand holding midfielders in the Premier League right now. While Brighton are ready to cash in, without a new deal.
Arsenal and Aston Villa have often headed the queue of clubs keen to agree a transfer with Brighton for Bissouma. The Gunners gave serious thought to his situation last summer and remain interested. The Villans, meanwhile, saw an offer rejected during the January sales.
Both clubs are now weighing up revised approaches when the market re-opens at the end of the season. Manchester United, Liverpool, Newcastle and Leicester have also kept tabs on the 25-year-old this term. Monaco are also among the clutch of continental sides keen.
Bissouma telling Brighton he wants out will delight club chiefs at Arsenal and Aston Villa as they eye summer bids. But the Villans know the Seagulls are prepared to play hardball to keep the 18-cap enforcer at the Amex. So, the south coast side may still yet put up a fight.
According to The Telegraph, Steven Gerrard’s Birmingham outfit offered £25m to sign the midfielder in January. Yet the offer fell flat, as the Daily Mail noted the Seagulls wanted to make £50m if they were to deprive Graham Potter of the star whom Ian Wright adores.
“Bissouma at Brighton, for me, he’s sensational,” the Arsenal icon said on his Wrighty’s House Podcast last year. “Watch his highlights. He’s an exceptional six, an exceptional eight and an exceptional 10. He does all of those roles.”
