Paul Barber has told the Athletic that he is ‘delighted’ clubs are interested in his players amid Arsenal’s links with Yves Bissouma.
The Brighton CEO has seemingly hinted at someone like Bissouma being allowed to leave, with Arsenal showing the strongest interest in the defensive-minded midfielder.
Football London have previously reported that Arsenal are keen on bringing Bissouma to the Emirates this summer – he has a strong friendship with Nicholas Pepe following their time together in Lille.
Well, Barber has admitted that Brighton cannot keep hold of their star players ‘forever’, and if the ‘right offer’ came in for their talents, and they want to leave then ‘they can go’.
“I don’t see it as a negative at all,” said Barber, as quoted by the Standard. “The more the big clubs that are interested in our players, the more we’re doing right, so I am delighted with that.
“We know some of our best players aren’t going to be with us forever and, if the right offer comes along – and it has to be the right offer – and they want to leave, then they can go.
“If we’ve got players leaving, then we’ve got back-up internally, and we can go out into the transfer market.
“We’re always looking ahead, we’re always trying to scout the best young players and bring them into our squad, or loan them out. It’s a really important part of what we do.”
All of this should be music to the ears of Arsenal supporters, and especially those in the boardroom.
It’s just a case of putting a reasonable offer on the table for the technician and starting negotiations for his talents to head to North London.
It would be a surprise if Bissouma doesn’t want to don Arsenal colours given that he is a boyhood fan and very good friends with Pepe.
Arsenal just need to show the ambition and it seems as though Brighton will listen. And then it’s a case of hoping no one higher up tries to steal him from their grasp.
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