Everton can seal discount Yves Bissouma signing after Tottenham transfer update
Everton have the opportunity to pick up Yves Bissouma for a knockdown price as soon as the transfer window opens.
Everton were in the mix to sign Bissouma in the summer transfer window as his future looked unclear at Tottenham thanks to Thomas Frank taking over for Ange Postecoglou.
It was reported at the time that the former Brighton star preferred to stay in the Premier League if he was forced out by the Dane as he wants to secure British citizenship, but his priority was to remain at Spurs.
However, having not played a single minute since Frank took over he looks odds-on to depart in January, so if the Toffees want him he is there for the taking.
Tottenham plan to offload Bissouma after disciplinary issues
Frank excluded the 29-year-old for the Super Cup clash with PSG at the start of the campaign because of repeated lateness, and things haven’t improved in North London since then.
An injury picked up on international duty also set Bissouma back, and now the club is investigating footage as it appears he has been caught inhaling laughing gas again, having been suspended by Postecoglou last season for allegedly doing the same thing.
The midfielder had apologised at the time and returned to be a regular under the Australian, including playing the full 90 minutes in both legs of the semi-finals, and the final, as Spurs broke their trophy drought by winning the Europa League.
There doesn’t look to be any way back under Frank though, as a new update from The Times says the club plan to offload him in the January transfer window.
While they are prepared to trigger a one-year extension in his contract, which currently expires in the summer, to avoid losing him for nothing they are said to be “confident” of doing a deal in the New Year, even at a price “significantly less” than the £25 million they originally paid for him.
Bryan King told Goodison News in August that he felt Everton could pay around £15m for Bissouma, but it would seem circumstances will have knocked that right down.
For and against a risky Bissouma move
Whether Everton are definitely still interested in the Malian international remains to be seen, and the reasons behind his complete lack of football at club level this season are significant red flags.
Even the ankle surgery he underwent in October coupled with a lack of match fitness might be cause enough to look elsewhere, but the seemingly ongoing disciplinary complications add a whole new layer.
But managers love a bargain, and David Moyes has a reputation for being one of the more frugal Premier League bosses so if he can see the opportunity to pick up a player that can help this side at a significant reduction he might still be tempted.
If the Scot and his staff were confident that Bissouma’s issues relate to his current environment or something they can help support him past then a majorly-reduced fee could be attractive.
Idrissa Gueye and James Garner are the first-choice pair in central midfield, but with the former recently suspended Tim Iroegbunam has shown he isn’t on the same level, and the latter has often had to deputise at right-back.
Everton want to sign a new right-back and keep Garner in midfield, but outside those three there aren’t many alternatives as Moyes would surely be loath to drop Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall back on current form, so as a first reserve option a fit Bissouma would make a lot of sense.
As with every move there is a risk-reward balance to be struck, but if the financial cost is that much lower than usual for a seasoned Premier League operator the risk is much-reduced.
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