Arsenal and Liverpool have reportedly been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Yves Bissouma, with the midfielder handing in a transfer request at Brighton.
According to a report from The Times, Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Yves Bissouma has asked the club for a transfer at the end of the season amid serious interest from Premier League clubs Arsenal, Liverpool as well as Manchester City.
Bissouma joined Brighton in the summer of 2018 in a deal that could rise up €18 million. The 24-year-old has gradually grown into one of the most potent box-to-box midfielders in the Premier League, becoming a mainstay in Graham Potter’s side while also attracting a flurry of interest from a host of top clubs heading into the summer transfer window.
Liverpool have been linked with a move for the Malian international for quite some time now. And understandably so, as the Reds are preparing for the potential departure of Georginio Wijnaldum, whose contract expires at the end of the season. In addition, there have been question marks over the future of Naby Keita as well as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, too.
With James Milner not getting any younger either, a move for a central midfielder makes a lot of sense for Liverpool, making Bissouma a viable target. The Brighton man is held in high regard at Anfield and manager Jurgen Klopp has taken a personal interest in the transfer, vetting his character and off-field behaviour to assess his suitability to the side.
Arsenal are also in desperate need for midfield reinforcements despite having splashed the cash on Thomas Partey only last summer. Dani Ceballos’ loan deal comes to an end in a few weeks’ time while Mohamed Elneny has only a year left on his current contract with the Gunners. With Partey enduring a torrid debut season in England, the Gunners are intent on beefing up their options in midfield.
To that end, Bissouma has emerged as a target for Arsenal, having been on the club’s radar for quite some time now. Apart from Arsenal and Liverpool, Manchester City have also expressed an interest in securing the services of the 24-year-old given as Fernandinho is out of contract with the soon-to-be Premier League champions.
The trio have all been handed a boost in their pursuit of Bissouma as the midfielder has asked Brighton & Hove Albion for a transfer when the current season runs out. The Seagulls are expected to demand a transfer fee of around £30 million for the midfielder, who still has two years left on his current contract with the club.
As for Bissouma, he would ideally prefer to play for a club in the UEFA Champions League which would put a major dent in Arsenal’s hopes of signing him as the Gunners will be without European football for the first time in 25 years. Liverpool are also not certain of a top-four berth as of yet but with Manchester City’s interest in the 24-year-old not as advanced, the Reds may have the edge. It now remains to be seen as to where the Malian ends up come summer.
