LIVERPOOL and Arsenal have been told it will need at least £40million if they want to sign Brighton star Yves Bissouma.
The midfielder has become one of the hottest properties in the Premier League after his displays this season but the Seagulls are determined to get top money if they have to sell.
Liverpool have tracked the 24-year-old all season as they search for a replacement for Gini Wijnaldum who is expected to leave when his contract expires this summer.
Boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to have gone as far as checking out his personality and professionalism after being convinced by his on-field abilities to dictate games.
But Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is also desperate to capture the services of the Mali international as he looks to overhaul his squad at the Emirates.
The Gunners want to pair Bissouma with Thomas Partey to produce a midfield capable of competing against the best teams in the Premier League from next year.
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Brighton boss Graham Potter claimed this week that he believes staying at the club for another season would be the best for his development as a player.
But SunSport understands privately the club know there is little they could do to stop him looking to move on should two of the biggest teams in the country make a move.
Like all clubs in England the Seagulls have felt the pinch caused by Covid-19 so they are unable to dig their heels in should a huge bid come in for him.
And a figure of £40m is one the South Coast club would find hard to reject, as it brings in some much needed money and also provides enough to reinvest in finding replacements.
Brighton have already started looking at possible targets to cover Bissouma leaving, with Reading player of the year Josh Laurent one of their options.
Liverpool legend John Barnes, 57, has urged the club to go out and sign Seagulls star Bissouma.
The former England star said: “Yves Bissouma has the ability to play at a team like Liverpool.
“He could fill what Jurgen Klopp wants from the three midfield players.
“He is strong defensively, he works hard, he plays the ball quickly and every now and then when he needs to dribble, as much as we don’t speak about Brighton, you know he can do it.”
Bissouma is one of five stars Arsenal are keen to recruit this summer in a huge overhaul of playing staff at The Emirates.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
