- 5 hours ago
Liverpool, Man Utd or Real Madrid: Where will Bissouma go?
Martin Macdonald
- Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
- 4 min read
Yves Bissouma could be on his way out of Brighton in January as clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid are linked with his services.
According to Defensa Central, Los Blancos are the latest outfit interested in the midfielder, while the Daily Express reports that arch rivals Liverpool and Man Utd might have to outbid each other in order to land the 24-year-old.
Bissouma has been close to an ever-present for Brighton this season, starting 13 out of their 14 Premier League fixtures so far.
He currently has a 84 FootballCritic rating, which is by far the highest of any Brighton player, with his performances catching the eye of Europe’s elite clubs for a potential January transfer.
Yves Bissouma: Snapshot
| Statistic | 2019/20 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|
| Starts | 17 | 13 |
| Goals | 0 | 1 |
| Assists | 0 | 0 |
| Pass Completion | 82% | 86% |
| Ball Recoveries P90 | 5.9 | 7.9 |
| Dribbles P90 | 2.4 | 1.5 |
| Touches P90 | 58.0 | 66.6 |
Where could he go?
Liverpool
The reigning Premier League champions have the longest running interest in Bissouma as they see him as the ideal replacement for Gini Wijnaldum, who could either leave in January for a cut price fee or in the summer for free.
The Dutchman’s current contract runs out in June, and he is yet to agree terms on a new deal.
The 2020/21 season, arguably more than any other, has highlighted the continued need for a deep squad, particularly for a team competing on multiple fronts like Liverpool.
Liverpool already have Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Fabinho, Thiago, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones who can play in central midfield.
However, due to various injury and positional reasons, they have been left down to the bare bones in that position on occasion, so if Wijnaldum does indeed leave a replacement will likely be required.
Man Utd
Paul Pogba will leave Manchester United whether it be in January or, more likely, in the summer.
If it is indeed in the summer that the Frenchman finally departs, then they will have had plenty of time to prepare for his exit by recruiting a replacement. Though perhaps lacking Pogba’s grace when in possession, Bissouma would give Man Utd some extra athleticism in midfield – a feature in a player that manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer likes.
Even if Pogba doesn’t leave, Man Utd would benefit from his acquisition. The main problem they have is that Old Trafford doesn’t look like a desirable destination at the moment compared to Liverpool and Real Madrid.
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Real Madrid
It is no secret that Real Madrid have been keen to sign Pogba for a while, with Zinedine Zidane being a fan of his compatriot.
Whether or not Bissouma could make the unlikely move to the Santiago Bernabeu could depend on how much Madrid want to spend on Pogba to make him their new Galactico.
The Frenchman transferring to the Spanish capital would certainly end any interest in Bissouma from a Real Madrid point of view, but it could still impact the future of the Malian as it could open up the aforementioned position in the Man Utd midfield.
If Pogba is deemed to be too expensive, Bissouma could provide the Real Madrid midfield with some added physicality going forward, especially with Luka Modric now 35-years-old.
There is no doubt also that Real Madrid are light in that position, as it is usually three from Modric, Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Fede Valverde who play.
