Brighton & Hove Albion have set an asking price of £50 million for star midfielder Yves Bissouma according to Andy Naylor of The Athletic.
Aston Villa are one of the clubs reportedly interested in the Mali international but have yet to launch a bid.
The 25-year-old has been one of the standout performers for Brighton this season and has attracted attention from a number of sides. Brighton are believed to be in no rush to sell but with Bissouma only having 18 months left on his contract, it does look likely he will leave the South Coast sooner rather than later.
Brighton Demand £50 Million for Yves Bissouma
Brighton’s Standout Midfielder Looks Likely to Leave
Yves Bissouma is enjoying another successful campaign for the Seagulls and has been, in the eyes of most, their best player so far this season. He has proven one of the Premier League’s top midfielders due to his ability to shield the ball and break up play in the middle of the park.
However, Brighton’s hopes of keeping him at the club are looking increasingly unlikely. Given he only has 18 months on his contract and he appears to have no desire to extend this deal, it looks like Bissouma’s exit is a matter of when not if.
Brighton manager Graham Potter said: “We are comfortable with where we are at, we know the situation. From my perspective, I will just try to help him when he comes back from the AFCON and help him get back to his best.
“When he does that, he is a top player. We want to keep all our players but I also understand the way the market is and the way football is.
“We understand where we are in the football pyramid.”
Brighton fans will be hoping that no acceptable offers come in for Bissouma in January so they can keep him until the end of the season at least.
Would Aston Villa be the Right Move for Bissouma?
A move to Aston Villa could be a step up for the 25-year-old, especially considering their recent signing of high-profile attacker Philippe Coutinho.
Despite this, Brighton have been doing well this season as their positive style of play has finally seen them hitting the back of the net on a more regular basis, and the Seagulls currently sit 4 places above Steven Gerrard’s side. For more, given that he has been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League this campaign it would be a surprise if the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, and Manchester United don’t look at signing him.
Given that he will only have 12 months on his contract come the summer and will likely be available for a lesser fee, it makes sense for these clubs to wait.
If Villa want to sign Bissouma they must act now. Should they be able to meet Brighton’s asking price, it will be hard for the South Coast side to turn their offer down.
That would then leave a big decision for the Mali midfielder, with bigger moves elsewhere possible—but by no means guaranteed.
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