Arsenal: 2 standby midfield transfers in Premier League

Yves Bissouma is an Arsenal Player if They Want Him

Of course it’s speculative, but outside of the internal affairs at Arsenal, onlookers have had little to feed off on the Yves Bissouma front.

Fans are pining for his signature and numerous reports mentioned Arteta’s own adoration, yet this summer it’s been very quiet and surprisingly calm. While if we’re looking at Locatelli and Bissouma there are precious few comparisons apart from them being holding midfielders, that doesn’t mean one can’t be in reserve.

Lokonga may well be the Malian’s alternative but here Arsenal have a player they know will hit the ground running, will cost them around £30m+, has a replacement already at Brighton and, crucially, wants to join. Add in that there is no concrete interest anywhere other than that of Arsenal and this feels an awful lot like a ‘if all else fails’, move.

Give Brighton the money they’re after and this would likely be the simplest deal to conclude all window. Claims of Bissouma being a boyhood Arsenal fan, favouring a north London move over anywhere else, having friends at the club and not needing to massively relocate, it’s a deal asking to be concluded.

And until other sides show their hand, Arsenal may take a backseat with the 24-year-old and pounce if they have to.

Should he be the number one target? If it’s a destroyer type No. 6 they’re after to help unleash Partey, then he’s the best option on the market. By far the most suitable.

Again, such a mindset can be painted with an arrogant brush – because it kind of is – but it helps explain why there has been no known contact since setting out the early feelers.

As far as ‘backup’ options go, Bissouma is an excellent one. You just can’t help but feel that if Arsenal wanted him, they’d already have him.

Still, he doesn’t appear to be the only one.

Continued…