Lille’s Ligue 1 midfielder Yves Bissouma is reportedly set for the Premier League with Brighton and Hove Albion pulling off a big coup.
One day after Fulham snatched Jean Michel Seri from under the nose of some much larger Premier League clubs, it seems that Brighton and Hove Albion are set to pull off a similar coup for another Ligue 1 midfielder.
Lille star Yves Bissouma was linked to both Tottenham and Everton in May by Sky Sports but it seems that The Seagulls have now won the race.
According to L’Equipe, Brighton have agreed terms with the 21-year-old Mali international and are set to welcome him to The Amex for a fee of around £17.5 million.
This would make Bissouma the most expensive signing in the club’s history, exceeding the £14.5 million they paid for PSV frontman Jurgen Locadia in the January transfer window. And Bissouma could be an excellent addition to Chris Hughton’s side, adding further energy alongside Dale Stephens or Dutch international Davy Propper in the engine room.
The 5ft 11ins midfielder broke into Lille’s team in 2016/17 and started 15 Ligue 1 games as Les Dogues survived relegation to the second tier by the skin of their teeth last season.
He is renowned for his tough tackling and ability to start attacks from deep, though Bissouma also has the pace and power to drive on through the centre of the park.
Bissouma is set to become Brighton’s fourth first-team signing of the summer, joining Luke Steele, Bernado and Romanian international striker Florin Andone.
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