06 Aug 2021 12:13:34
Hi Ed, a question which relates to arsenal and Liverpool. Do you think Bissouma will stay at Brighton this season? Given Liverpool's financial situation and arsenal keeping xhaka.
{Ed002's Note - Yves Bissouma (CM/DM) Brighton will resist any approaches although the player has made known his desire for the club to consider offers for him but has not formally requested a transfer. He shares a "representative" with Pepe who he spent a season with at Lille and he failed to persuade Arsenal to move for him - and since then Arsenal have signed Partey and a change in the decision process at Arsenal means any move is only possible if they can clear the clutter of Torreira, Xhaka and Guendouzi - then they could look to him to play alongside Partey - but Xhaka is now staying. He is a significant upgrade on Xhaka and Elneny and will add experience with Dani Ceballos departing. Arsenal are working hard to sell players to make space for him but are struggling right now. Interest of Spurs will have departed with Mr Mourinho. Monaco may also provide an option but I suspect the price will be too high for them and they have a first choice preference. He is another who would be off to the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2022 and not Home Grown makes him less attractive to most English sides although Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Leicester have spoken with his representative, but Leicester have another solution pretty agreed already. He is not first choice for Manchester City but they could return - Manchester United do not currently have space in the midfield and have a preferred target - Liverpool interest remains but they may not have the money. There is a further complication in that his family is directly involved in all major decisions.}
06 Aug 2021 13:42:01
Thanks Ed, such a comprehensive insight and much appreciated.
06 Aug 2021 18:48:14
Thanks for that Ed.