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Arsenal keen on Bissouma as Brighton reject £30m bid

By on January 19, 2022

According to French reporter Fabrice Hawkins, Arsenal are keen on signing Yves Bissouma but will need to come up with an ‘exceptional’ offer this month with Brighton already rejecting a £30m bid.

It’s no secret that Mikel Arteta is trying to strengthen his squad this month and midfield has become a priority area of concern for Arsenal as we’ve been light of options in the middle of the park while Thomas Partey and Mo Elneny have been away at the AFCON.

Granit Xhaka’s disciplinary problems have also exasperated the issue as the Swiss international is facing a two-match ban following his sending off against Liverpool so Arsenal have had just one senior midfielder [Albert Sambi Lokonga] available for selection.

Partey is due back soon after Ghana were knocked out of the AFCON on Tuesday night but Arteta is still in the market for midfield reinforcements and Bissouma has long been touted as a potential target.

RTL France journalist Fabrice Hawkins claims that Arsenal remain interested in signing the 25-year-old but we face competition from the likes of Aston Villa and Newcastle for his signature.

Hawkins says that ‘several offers’ have gone in already for Bissouma – one for £30m – but the Seagulls have knocked them back and insist that it would take an ‘exceptional offer’ to tempt them into a deal this month.

***Translates as: Yves #Bissouma , currently at the CAN, is the subject of several offers. Brighton have rebuffed a £30m offer. The Malian will not move this winter unless there is an exceptional offer. Aston Villa, Newcastle and Arsenal are interested.

Bissouma is a terrific player and has developed into one of the best all-action midfielders in the Premier League since joining Brighton from Lille in 2018 so he’d obviously be an excellent signing for Arsenal.

However, I don’t think a move this month is realistic. Firstly, Bissouma is currently away at the AFCON so wouldn’t be able to help ease our immediate midfield crisis.

Secondly, Brighton are highly unlikely to sell one of their star players mid-season. Graham Potter is doing a terrific job and has Brighton sitting ninth in the table so he’ll be determined to hang on to his key men this winter.

Therefore, any potential move for Bissouma will have to wait until the summer. A 6-month loan for Arthur still seems like the most realistic option and then Arsenal can go hard for a top target like Bissouma at the end of the season.