Arsenal are intensifying their interest in signing Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma. The Seagulls’ player is in high demand since last summer, but is yet to make a move. Arsenal join a host of clubs in pursuing Bissouma, with Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle and Leicester also in the fray. However, Aston Villa may have just pipped everybody else in the line. Villa have offered a direct swap deal to Brighton for landing Yves Bissouma.
Arsenal however can still secure Bissouma’s signature, if they offer a swap deal as well. But the Gunners’ deal would be more fascinating to Brighton, as compared to Aston Villa’s. The Villans are reportedly ready to send Danny Ings the other way in order to acquire the services of Bissouma. Villa manager Steven Gerrard has prioritised signing a holding midfielder this summer, and the Brighton player tops the wish-list. But Arsenal can hijack this move, by including center-back Rob Holding in a swap-deal.
Brighton currently have enough firepower to keep them up. However, one department where they are short in the defence. Arsenal first landed Ben White last summer from Brighton for a fee of £52 million. Furthermore, the Seagulls lost center-back Dan Burn to Newcastle United in the winter transfer market. Arsenal can now help Brighton reinforce their backline by sending Rob Holding at the American Express stadium in the coming summer.
Holding the key to Arsenal snatching the Brighton midfielder
Rob Holding has been loyal to the Gunners for almost over five years. However, despite being at Arsenal since 2016 Holding never managed to be a first-team regular for them. But his experience of 78 Premier League games can come handy if Arsenal want to convince Brighton. Arsenal’s interest in Bissouma is nothing new, as they tried to sign him last summer as well.
Mikel Arteta has very less options in the midfield, and wants to add a depth to the same. Granit Xhaka is tipped to leave in the summer and Mohamed Elneny’s contract expires at the end of the season. As a result, Arteta will only have Thomas Partey as an experienced midfielder next summer, with Sambi Lokonga still learning to ply hi trade in England.
Bissouma has never been so good, and the Mali international knows this is the time to make a move. There were reports coming out of Brighton that Bissouma has handed in a transfer request this season. But the Seagulls want a handsome fee if they are to let him leave. Arsenal could just offer Holding to Brighton, making it a win-win situation. Graham Potter gets a center-back, and Arsenal their midfield depth.
But it would definitely take more than just Rob Holding for Arsenal to sign Yves Bissouma. Brighton rejected Aston Villa’s £25 million bid in January as they value their midfielder at £50 million. Gerrard however wants to lure Bissouma’s current employers by giving them Danny Ings, who has failed to deliver for the Villans.
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