Arsenal maintain Yves Bissouma transfer interest

The summer transfer window has closed for another year to widespread joy and despair, depending on one’s point of view, and already talk has emerged surrounding what may come for Arsenal in the January window. There is no escape.

As attention turns to taking a back seat and relaxing as the international break kicks off – it’s never that fun, is it? – Mikel Arteta is left with six new signings to find place for in his side.

Takehiro Tomiyasu was the latest arrival and brought the expenditure up to a club record £150m total, but still some fans are feeling like there was a stone left unturned.

That generally centres around the midfield. It seemed for all the world as if Granit Xhaka would be departing to truly signal the beginning of the rebuild, and while Albert Sambi Lokonga arrived as an exciting addition with all the tools to succeed in the Premier League, he remains one for the future.

Arsenal maintain Yves Bissouma transfer interest for future windows as Brighton midfielder is also wanted by Liverpool and Manchester United

Speculation was rife throughout the summer, and indeed across the last year, regarding Yves Bissouma’s future. Every social media post from recognised journalists was commented on to death with cries for ‘Bissouma news’, and regular updates of Arteta’s admiration for the Malian stoked the fires.

Seeing the 2021/22 campaign kick off with the 25-year-old putting in three superb displays for the Seagulls en route to a six-point haul only heightened the clamour for his prized signature.

Brighton needn’t have worried. As per south coast journalist Aden-Jay Wood, no officials bids were lodged for the midfielder and all the rumours and talks between all interested parties failed to deliver a firm cash offer.

Will someone try again?

It’s added that Arsenal maintain a long-standing interest in Bissouma, as do Manchester United and Liverpool.

Realistically, who is going to win that race if it’s either resumed in January or the following summer? By then Arsenal may be an even more destitute position with a new manager at the helm and a different vision on what the outlook of the team should be.

Liverpool have just signed Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to new long-term contracts so are fairly well stocked in their three-man midfield, whereas United have one glaring hole in their squad: that very position.

Fred is their weak link and if they finally decide to move on from the Brazilian, Bissouma would be a worryingly suitable fit. Entering the penultimate season of his contract, Brighton will be in a more willing position to cash in and it becomes somewhat irrelevant whether or not he’s an Arsenal fan or close mates with Nicolas Pepe; any player in their right mind has an easy choice to make.

But! We move on. The window is closed and it’s time to stop looking at everyone else’s house. Arteta has his team now. That’s where the focus should be: turning that squad into Premier League points. Let’s do that.