Tottenham may have just created the Premier League’s top-tackling midfield duo by signing Yves Bissouma
Tottenham have announced the signing of Malian midfielder Yves Bissouma from Brighton.
Bissouma, 25, could cost Spurs a total of £35 million, according to Sky Sports, £10m of which is made up by add-ons. His contract expires in 2026.
He joins goalkeeper Fraser Forster and winger-turned-wing-back Ivan Perisic as the third signing Tottenham have added to Antonio Conte’s squad in the summer transfer window as they prepare for Champions League football in 2022/23.
“It’s my dream to play Champions League football,” said Bissouma is his first interview with his new club.
At Brighton, Bissouma played at the base of midfield as the Seagulls finished ninth, the club’s record placing in the Premier League. His statistical profile is one of a player who thrives in one-on-one duels, be they defensive or offensive; he is in the top percentile for Premier League No.6s for both tackles won and take-ons completed across his Premier League career, a division he joined in 2018.
Bissouma will play either alongside or replace Tottenham’s existing central midfielders, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur.
His arrival means Tottenham have two of the Premier League’s ‘top-five’ tacklers since the 2019/20 season in Hojbjerg and now Bissouma.
