Report: ‘Very skilful, very strong’ 24-year-old midfielder open to Arsenal move, Mikel Arteta a huge fan

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Reported Arsenal target and boyhood Gunners fan Yves Bissouma is open to a move to the Emirates Stadium, according to Football London.

The 24-year-old is currently at Brighton, having joined the Premier League side from Lille in 2018 for a reported £15million fee, and knows Arsenal ace Gabriel Magalhaes well.

Bissouma has been excellent for Graham Potter’s team this season and has adapted to a more defensive midfield role, with 16 Premier League starts under his belt.

The Brighton & Hove Independent claimed in December that Mikel Arteta is a “huge fan” of the Mali international, who has made 73 appearances for his club and won 14 caps for his country.

And according to Football London, Bissouma is a player that Arsenal are bearing in mind as they search for midfield reinforcements this month, with the 6ft ace seemingly reciprocating the interest.

However, the BHI also claimed last month that Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid are also eyeing the midfielder.

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Bissouma has certainly shown he’s a cut above at Brighton and surely it won’t be long before a leading club snaps him up.

That said, with a contract until 2023, the ball is very much in the Seagulls’ court regarding his future and how much they could want for him.

He’d certainly be worth it though, given he’s young and proven at Premier League and international level, not to mention having plenty of plaudits sent his way.

Former Lille teammate Lebo Mothiba told The Argus previously all about how good Bissouma can be, both on and off the field.

“I go way back with Yves,” he said. “I started to play with him in the reserves and I scored a lot of goals. “He is a very good midfielder, very skilful and he has confidence.

“Each and every time he is always looking for the ball and, when he has the ball, he makes the difference. He is very skilful and he is very strong.”