Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion have completed a £30 million deal for Mali International, Yves Bissouma.
Following the signings of goalkeeper Fraser Forster and winger Ivan Perisic, the 25-year-old will become Antonio Conte’s third summer signing.
Yves Bissouma has made 124 appearances for the Seagulls since signing from Lille in July 2018. His contract with the club expires in a year.
In January, the north London club expressed interest in signing him.
He’ll have a physical at Tottenham later this week, and the deal is contingent on the player agreeing to personal conditions.
Last season, the prized center midfielder made 26 Premier League appearances for the Seagulls, scoring once.
He was a key member of Graham Potter’s side that finished ninth in the Premier League, the club’s highest ever finish.
Bissouma stated in September that it was not the right time for him to leave Brighton, but wishes to play in the Champions League, which Spurs have qualified for next season.
Arsenal were rumored to be interested in signing the midfielder, but Tottenham’s offer of Champions League football proved too tempting to refuse.
Spurs supporters will be pleased that they have beaten their bitter rivals to the signing of the talented midfielder.
Bissouma has previously thrilled Spurs supporters, with a video of him smiling at Arsenal’s Emirates stadium in 2019.
The clip was taken after Brighton held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates, effectively ruining the Gunners’ chances of finishing in the top four.
After the final whistle, Bissouma was spotted laughing wildly while the Arsenal players looked defeated.
In the 18/19 season, Arsenal battled Spurs for a top-four berth, and after scoring just four points out of a possible 18, they let a top-four spot slip through their fingers, similar to what happened in the just concluded 21/22 season.
Spurs fans were ecstatic after the video went viral and requested that the midfielder be signed.
“Sign Bissuma to a life-long contract, @Levy,” one supporter tweeted.
They will be granted their wish in the coming days, as the deal is anticipated to be completed.
The Mali international has been an important part of Graham Potter’s team as he continues to develop into one of the top players in the Premier League at his position.
