How close did Arsenal come to Yves Bissouma transfer?
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 18 Jun 2022 03:40 CDT
- 3 min read
Arsenal saw long-time transfer target Yves Bissouma leave Brighton to sign for north London rivals Tottenham on Friday.
The Gunners had long been linked with a move for the 25-year-old Mali midfielder, who completed a deal worth £25 million when he departed the Amex Stadium for Antonio Conte’s side.
Just how close had Mikel Arteta been to signing the former Lille player and how serious was Arsenal’s interest Bissouma?
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Goal reports that while Arsenal did indeed hold an interest in the midfielder, the Gunners were simply keeping tabs on the player. It is revealed that no concrete bid was ever made.
One of the reasons why the Emirates club did not go beyond simply monitoring the player is because they are looking for a different type of midfield player to sign in the summer transfer window. Rather than the defensive type player that Bissouma is, they are looking for a more advanced player who can feature in a 4-3-3 system.
Yves Bissouma only scores 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀.
ⓘ 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲#BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/CUSAt6CwFW— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) November 17, 2020
Arteta is said to be content with Thomas Partey in the defensive area of the midfield, and with the former Atletico Madrid star filling that role, there makes little sense to sign Bissouma, too, given that resources are needed elsewhere.
While Arsenal have been linked with a summer move for Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans, they are close to tying down Porto star Fabio Vieira on a deal worth €40m initially followed by another €5m potentially in bonuses. That transfer could be completed imminently.
Arsenal’s summer transfer moves
The Gunners have acted quickly and efficiently in the summer transfer window to date. They have already signed goalkeeper Matt Turner from the New England Revolution, while Marquinhos has joined up from Sao Paulo.
Arsenal are also in the market to strengthen their defence, with Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez thought to be the club’s leading option in the rearguard at present.
