Liverpool could be in pole position to sign Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma as Arsenal have cooled their interest in the Malian. Bissouma has been a key player for the Seagulls since signing for them in 2018 from Lille.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Gunners may look elsewhere and aren’t keen on signing Bissouma, which could help Liverpool secure his signature. As per Daily Mail, Brighton could demand a fee of around £40 million for the 24-year-old midfielder.
Bissouma has made 96 appearances for Brighton in all competitions, scoring four times. The Mali international has two years remaining on his current deal with the Premier League side, having signed a five-year deal when he signed with them in 2018.
Should Liverpool move in for Yves Bissouma?
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will have to bring in reinforcements in the summer if he is to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League once again.
While strengthening the defence will be the priority, the Reds will have to add new faces to other parts of the pitch too. The 2019-20 Premier League champions have lost a key midfielder in Georginio Wijnaldum, who will leave the club when his contract expires.
Liverpool need to replace the Dutch international on the pitch, and Yves Bissouma could be the player to do so in the Liverpool midfield. The Brighton man is a hard-working midfielder who likes to put himself about and win the ball back for his team in the middle of the park. Capable of playing as a defensive midfielder or central midfielder, the Malian is a player that can contribute to both ends of the pitch.
Yves Bissouma was the only player to make 100+ tackles and 50+ interceptions in the Premier League this season:
◉ 104 tackles
◉ 64 interceptionsHe also won 227 duels. 💪 pic.twitter.com/V4wbQfvksw
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 23, 2021
Bissouma is a good tackler, averaging 2.9 tackles per game in the 2020-21 Premier League season, and his quick thinking resulted in 1.8 interceptions per game in the league.
The 24-year-old is also a useful player while going forward as he is quick to move the ball with his dribbling ability. The former Lille player could be a good option for Klopp in the middle of the park and could be a good foil for the creative Thiago in midfield.
With the likes of Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain constantly suffering from injuries, Klopp may want an injury-free player like Bissouma to give him options in midfield. Bissouma could also be a useful backup option for defensive midfielder Fabinho.
Liverpool should sign Bissouma as he has Premier League experience, tenacity, and speed, and is a player that the fans will love.
Stats via Whoscored
