Arsenal are reportedly closing in on signing Yves Bissouma, with Brighton looking to sell the 25-year-old midfielder this summer.
According to Calciomercato, Arsenal are reportedly close to signing Yves Bissouma as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his midfield options in the summer transfer window. There is considerable interest in the 25-year-old Malian midfielder, who is likely to leave Brighton & Hove Albion after entering the final year of his contract.
Arsenal have been linked with Yves Bissouma before, as the Gunners looked to sign the Brighton midfielder last summer. While a move never transpired, they were again mentioned in rumours around the January transfer window as Mikel Arteta searched for a new midfielder after a mini injury crisis.
Arthur Melo was the reported target back in the winter, but Juventus did not agree to the terms Arsenal proposed for a loan move. While the links with the Brazilian have cooled down, Arsenal are in the market for fresh reinforcements.
Youri Tielemans is their priority midfield target as Arteta wants a player to occupy the no. 8 berth on the left-hand side. However, Oleksandr Zinchenko is also considered for the role as the Arsenal boss wants to use the Manchester City utility man in the role he assumes for Ukraine.
So far, Arsenal have not been touted to be looking for a new defensive midfielder, as Arteta is likely to start the season with Thomas Partey in the No.6 role. However, while the position itself is a coveted one, many clubs are in the market for a viable player.
Aurelien Tchouameni’s impending move to Real Madrid shows the scarcity of players in the position and the expensive nature of a transfer. Arsenal, however, could be considering an opportunity that has presented itself in Yves Bissouma.
The Brighton midfielder is on the market as he enters the final year of his deal with the Premier League club. Aston Villa had been interested in the 25-year-old midfielder, but they recently signed Boubacar Kamara in a Bosman move.
There is some interest in Bissouma from Manchester United and AC Milan, but the report insists the Malian will likely stay put in the Premier League. AS Roma have also shown an inclination to sign the player despite seemingly closing in on Nemanja Matic.
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The report insists that Arsenal are close to completing a move for Bisssouma, even though the link has emerged out of nowhere. However, the Gunners may look at him to add competition for Partey and have an alternative ready if the Ghanaian suffers another injury. What Arsenal might end up paying remains unclear, but Brighton could accept a reasonable offer considering they have no other option but to cash in on him at this stage.
