Football writer Gregg Evans has claimed that he would be ‘very surprised’ if Yves Bissouma joined Aston Villa in the January transfer market as no ‘concrete’ interest has been registered yet.
It seems as if the Villans have lofty ambitions this summer. Indeed, with the loan signing of Philippe Coutinho already in the bag and a move for Lucas Digne seemingly on the cards too, you wouldn’t blame the club for ending their business there.
Should Aston Villa spend £50m on Yves Bissouma?
Yes
No
However, next on the list for Steven Gerrard is thought to be Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Bissouma, who is supposedly wanted by the club with just 18 months left on his contract.
Despite the rumoured interest, Evans has claimed that the deal is unlikely, as Brighton are not looking to sell and there has been ‘no bid’ nor any ‘concrete registering of an interest’ from Villa, either.
Speaking on the 1874 podcast, he said: “Look, I don’t want to be eating my words again because I said the same around Coutinho, that I’d be very surprised if that happens. I’ll be even more surprised if Bissouma came in this window.
“Purely because Brighton are looking for £50m. Well, they’re not even looking to sell him first and foremost, but they are aware that there’s interest, as Andy Naylor, our Brighton reporter, reported over the weekend.
“And Brighton’s take is, ‘well, if there wasn’t any interest in one of our best players, then we’d be a little bit surprised, anyway.’
“There’s been no bid, there’s been no sort of concrete registering of an interest from Villa. And Brighton will only let him go for around £50m; they certainly won’t entertain anything less than £40m.
“And are Villa prepared to go and make him their most expensive signing in this window? I’m not sure they are, but we’ll wait and see.
TIF Thoughts on Yves Bissouma and Aston Villa…
To go and spend upwards of £40m on the Brighton man would certainly be a stunning signal of intent from Villa. Such a deal would make Bissouma the club’s all-time most expensive signing.
However, with the recent transfers of Emi Buendia and Ollie Watkins before that, the club have shown a willingness to go out and splash big cash on new key players.
Despite that, if the Seagulls have no interest in selling, Villa may have to spend around £50m on Bissouma, which would be a fair chunk more than the £35m they spent on their current record signing, Buendia.
If the club are yet to make a bid, or formally register their interest as Evans says, this deal may not get over the line any time soon.
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