Arsenal insider Charles Watts has offered a potential solution when it comes to the club’s pursuit of Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Yves Bissouma.
The 24-year-old midfielder could potentially be on his way out of the club this summer, as it was reported over the weekend that he has submitted a transfer request amidst interest from the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City among others.
Any club that wants to sign him though could be forced to pay at least £40m for his services, and given the impact that missing out on European football looks set to have on their side, speaking on the latest edition of his show (7:16), Watts felt that the Gunners might have to get creative if they wanted to bring him in:
“You do wonder with Arsenal if there’s something they could potentially do with Bissouma that’s going to help them because £40m is a lot of money, especially when you haven’t got European football for Arsenal.
“And then you look at maybe Ainsley Maitland Miles, the player who Brighton have looked at in the past. Could Brighton be tempted into something with Ainsley? Probably looking at about £20m-£25m player there with Ainsley Maitland Niles. Can you do something with him and then give Brighton a little bit more money.
“Joe Willock – is he one that you could potentially tempt Brighton into doing business with? Even Reiss Nelson as well, Eddie Nketiah, Brighton certainly looking for a striker this summer.
“You know there’s lots of players that Arsenal are going to move on and look to move on, and you do wonder if sort of swap deals can come into that and certainly the one with Bissouma of all the potential deals that you look at, you do think that is a possibility with that one.”
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TIF Thoughts on Charles Watts’ comments about Yves Bissouma
With the club looking to earn a reported £60m in player sales, even if they all come off and they bought Bissouma for £40m, that wouldn’t leave them with much left to work on the rest of the squad. So whether it be for Bissouma, or anyone that they want to bring in, swapping players might be their only solution.
It’s just going to be a case of who they are willing to sacrifice and quite frankly how many, because with pressure mounting on boss Mikel Arteta, they may only get one real chance to make things right and get the club back on track under the Spaniard.
In other news: ‘I’m told’ – Insider drops big claim on Arteta’s future at Arsenal