Ray Parlour admits he would love to see Yves Bissouma swap Brighton and Hove Albion for his beloved Arsenal, telling talkSPORT (23 September, 8.40am) the midfielder has “got everything”.
Can he tackle? Yes he can. Can he control the tempo of a game from the centre of the park? Most certainly?
Can he turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye with one of those trademark slaloming runs from deep? That’s Bissouma’s M.O.
If Arsenal are craving a belligerent, ball-carrying, box-to-box enforcer, one who combines Thomas Partey’s tough-tackling capabilities with the slaloming stride of a Patrick Vieira, look no further.
The self-confident Bissouma may have gone a bit far when he claimed last week he was the “best midfielder in the Premier League”. But, when fit and firing, he’s certainly up there.
And while Brighton would be loathe to lose another star player to the Gunners after cashing in on Ben White in the summer transfer window, it seems only a matter of time before Bissouma outgrows the Amex.
Brighton star Yves Bissouma could be Arsenal’s missing link
“I would love to see (Bissouma) at Arsenal! I said that in the transfer window,” says Ray ‘the Romford Pele’ Parlour, a member of Arsene Wenger’s fabled Invincibles who made top-flight history in 2003/04.
“I think (Bissouma) has got everything. He’s efficient, he can put his foot on the ball, he can put his foot in as well, he can pass. He probably could score a few more goals but he’s not in that position to score goals – he’s the one who’s going to keep everything ticking over.
“I’m sure Brighton had to sell one of their players and it was Ben White in the end for £50 million.
“But I think (Bissouma) is going to be a top star. He’s only 24 so there’s lots of time as well.”
According to Football London, £40 million-rated Bissouma has already told his agent he would relish the prospect of joining former Seagulls teammate White at Arsenal, despite reported interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
Arsenal have also been linked with Bissouma’s manager, the much-admired Graham Potter.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
