Arsenal Handed Major Boost in Yves Bissouma Pursuit

Arsenal have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Yves Bissouma.

The primary focus is to see players moved on, with Arsenal working hard in that department already this month. Once the squad is depleted, the natural progression is to bolster it again.

It’s been a whirlwind January already, this despite the winter window only being in its infancy. Much of the work was expected to take place in the summer as it was felt few players could be moved on before their contracts expired, however, work is well underway to fast-track a number of those departures.

Where Arsenal are short is in central midfield. There are numbers, just not the quality of player desired.

Mohamed Elneny and Dani Ceballos are unlikely to remain at the club beyond the season, while the long-term future of Granit Xhaka remains a grey area.

Among those Arsenal would like to bring in is Yves Bissouma, and the Gunners have been handed a welcome boost in that pursuit. It’s been previously mentioned that Mikel Arteta is a huge admirer of the Brighton midfielder – a view shared on Pain in the Arsenal – and football.london have revealed that the Malian would be keen on linking up with Arteta’s side.

Bissouma is attracting interest from Liverpool, although if he is to earn regular minutes, it’s no disservice stating that he has more chance at Arsenal than on Merseyside. Their options in that department are…well, slightly stronger.

Furthermore, it’s stated that Bissouma is an Arsenal fan (the laughing after we threw away top four suggests otherwise) and is friends with Gabriel Magalhaes from their time together at Lille. There is no mention of Nicolas Pepe but we can assume the same. Maybe.

As if the case didn’t want to be anymore perfectly aligned, his favourite shirt number is apparently No. 8, currently owned by Ceballos but expected to be free come the summer.

Realistically, any move for Bissouma will have to wait until the summer. Brighton are in no rush to sell and will drive a hard bargain, while Arsenal are in no position to meet said bargain.

Any deal will come down to meeting Brighton’s fee and beating other clubs to the chase. It’d be some shock to see any significant movement this month. Arsenal have a lot on their plate at the minute, and money isn’t part of it.