KEY POINTS

  • Bissouma is contracted with Brighton until 2023
  • Klopp has been an admirer of Bissouma for a long time now
  • Bissouma started his career at French club Lillee

Liverpool FC have reportedly reached an agreement with Brighton over the transfer of Yves Bissouma, who believes he is the best midfielder in the Premier League.

Bissouma was linked with Liverpool throughout the 2021 summer market but the Reds failed to secure the deal. Jurgen Klopp has been a long-term admirer of the Mali national and it looks like Liverpool are close to sealing the deal this time around.

Liverpool have agreed to a $55 million deal for Bissouma that would see the Brighton midfielder move to Anfield during the January transfer window, reported Spanish publication Fichajes.

The Reds are seeing Bissouma as a direct replacement for Gini Wijnaldum, who has joined Paris-Saint Germain (PSG) on a free transfer. Even though Bissouma may not be a scoring option as Wijnaldum, the Mali midfielder is a box-to-box player with great technical skill and will add more zing to Klopp’s midfield, according to soccer website TEAMtalk.

Bissouma, who started his competitive soccer career with French club Lillee, made his senior debut during the 2016-17 season. After spending two full seasons at the Ligue 1 side, the central midfielder moved to the U.K. after he was secured by Brighton in the summer of 2018.

The 25-year-old Bissouma, who is contracted with Brighton until 2023, has so far netted four goals and two assists in as many as 101 competitive appearances for the English club. The Seagulls signed Bissouma for just $20 million. But since he has turned out to be one of their best signings over the years, he is set to fetch more than double that amount when he leaves the club.

Yves Bissouma of Brighton and Hove Albion
Yves Bissouma of Brighton and Hove Albion Getty Images | Steve Bardens

Bissouma is considered one of the most talented midfielders in the Premier League at present and he is aware of that. In a recent interview, Bissouma was asked according to him, who was the best midfielder in the league.

"I don’t want to be arrogant but that is my mind. For me, it is me. Because in my head, I am working to be the best. I know in the Premier League there are many good midfielders. But for me, it is me. That gives me confidence and the energy to show people that yeah, I am here. I am Bissouma," he replied.

With 14 points, Liverpool are currently at the top of the 2021-22 Premier League table.

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