Liverpool and Newcastle United have reportedly been handed a major boost in pursuit of 25-year-old Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma.
According to a report by 90 min, Yves Bissouma has apparently made it clear to the Brighton & Hove Albion hierarchy that he wants to leave the club at the end of the season. The Malian international regards the upcoming summer transfer window as the optimum time to take the next step in his career, with a host of top clubs expressing an interest in acquiring his services.
Regarded as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, Bissouma has flourished in the English top-flight since arriving at Brighton from French outfit LOSC Lille in 2018. Having gone from strength to strength in recent years under the tutelage of Graham Potter, he has made 118 appearances for Seagulls across all competitions, chipping in with five goals and two assists in the process.
Unsurprisingly, the 25-year-old is one of the most sought-after players in the transfer market. The midfielder was linked with an exit throughout last year, with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United rumoured to be interested in his services. He was also the subject of a rejected transfer bid from Aston Villa in January with Brighton keen to hold onto their star player.
And this upcoming window could finally see the Bissouma depart the south coast club, with the player making his stance clear to his parent club amid a slew of Premier League clubs including Liverpool and Newcastle United, keeping close tabs on his situation ahead of a potential summer swoop.
The Reds have added strength in depth and another dimension to their attack with the signing of electric winger Luis Diaz in January. And bolstering their midfield roster could now be on the cards this summer. With James Milner entering the final phase of his career and Jordan Henderson into his thirties, the club may look to freshen things up in the midfield department with more recruits.
To that end, Bissouma’s attributes fit the template of an ideal Liverpool central midfielder perfectly. The Brighton ace boasts a non-stop engine in the middle of the park, but he is equally good at carrying the ball forward, and his style of play is very similar to that of former Liverpool star Georginio Wijnaldum.
As for cash-rich Newcastle, the new owners are set to continue investing heavily into the squad ahead of next season, as the Magpies have all but clinched Premier League safety this season. Signing Bissouma would result in further competition for places alongside the likes of Jonjo Shelvey, Joe Willock, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
The box-to-box midfielder possesses a solid combination of technical, athletic, and ball-progression abilities that could make him the perfect anchor in Newcastle’s three-man midfield. It would also help Eddie Howe transition the Magpies into a more possession-based style of play.
Brighton, in theory, would want to extend the 25-year-old’s stay at the Amex Stadium. But with the player into the final 15 months of his contract and keen to leave at the end of the season, they may be forced to sell their prized asset in the summer.
