BRIGHTON owner Tony Bloom admitted the club’s best players ‘are not going to be with us forever’ in a huge boost to Arsenal in their pursuit of Yves Bissouma.
SunSport revealed earlier this month the Gunners have been told to cough up £40m for the Mali international.
The midfielder has become one of the hottest properties in the Premier League after his displays this season.
And Bloom does not expect to hold on to him forever.
But the Seagulls are determined to get top money if they have to sell.
Asked about big clubs’ interest in his team’s biggest and best players, Bloom said it is a positive.
He told the Athletic: “It’s not a flip side at all.
“The more big clubs there are interested in our players, the more we’re doing right, so I’m delighted with that.
“We know some of our best players are not going to be with us forever.
“If the right offer comes along — and it has to be the right offer — and they want to go, then they will leave. I foresee the vast majority to be here at the beginning of next season.”
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is desperate to capture the services of the 24-year-old 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.
Brighton boss Graham Potter claimed earlier this month he believes staying at the club for another season would be the best for Bissouma’s 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.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
