'Absolutely sensational': £50m top Newcastle target earns rave review for weekend performance

By Lee Connor

Brighton might have lost to Tottenham yesterday in the FA Cup but there was no getting away from the performance of midfielder Yves Bissouma being a highlight of the game.

The midfielder has been a standout for Brighton in the last few seasons. His form has seen top Premier League clubs court him, including Liverpool, Arsenal and most recently, Newcastle. Indeed, it was reported in January how the Magpies saw Bissouma as their number one transfer target in midfield, with talk of a £50m bid. Of course, Bissouma stayed put, for now.

But last night against Tottenham, Bissouma showed everyone just why so many are looking at signing him. Playing in the middle of the park, he excelled, despite being on the losing side. He got his goal, too, with the help of a deflection.

And BBC pundit Don Hutchinson, who was watching the game, was full of praise for the Brighton man.

“The best player on the pitch by an absolute miler, Yves Bissouma. He’s been absolutely sensational. He deserves a stroke of luck; he was trying to work half a yard on the edge of the box, Romero got nowhere near him. I don’t think Hojbjerg is brave enough. He turned his back on the shot. Graham Potter will have known the next goal was crucial,” Hutchinson said at the time on BBC Live.

Bissouma is expected to be the subject of interest once again this summer.

TBR’s View: Bissouma Shows His Class Again

If Yves Bissouma is still playing for Brighton come August, then it will be a minor miracle. He really is that good, and one of the very big clubs will be coming knocking. Indeed, Tottenham should be considering him, in fairness.

Sometimes a player just oozes class and outgrows a club. And without disrespect to Brighton – who are doing well under Potter – Bissouma appears ready for the next step. A big summer, then, awaits, with Newcastle well-placed to do business if they can stay up.