Premier League interest in Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma has cooled ahead of the January transfer window, according to sources speaking to Football Insider.
Everton and West Ham had been monitoring the Mali international earlier in the season, but neither club is now expected to pursue a move this winter. Both sides reportedly do not see Bissouma as a priority target, with attention focused on strengthening other areas of their squads.
As a result, Tottenham are increasingly likely to fall back on their contingency plan of activating a one-year contract extension if a sale cannot be agreed in January, rather than allowing the midfielder to leave on a free next summer.
Bissouma frozen out at Spurs
Bissouma has effectively been sidelined at Tottenham in recent months following another disciplinary issue early in Thomas Frank’s tenure. The former Brighton midfielder had previously faced problems with punctuality under Ange Postecoglou and was even dropped from the squad for Spurs’ UEFA Super Cup final in August for the same reason.
Since then, he has not featured in any competitive matches and was also omitted from Tottenham’s Champions League squad. Frank has reportedly made it clear that Bissouma has no route back into the team with his contract set to expire next summer, and any potential extension would simply be aimed at safeguarding his market value.
Tottenham would strongly prefer to sell Bissouma in January, but may be left with little choice but to activate the extension if interest fails to revive.
Frank’s future could change the picture
While Spurs are not currently planning to dismiss Frank, pressure is growing following another disappointing result. A 3-0 defeat away to Nottingham Forest last weekend has left Tottenham sitting 11th in the Premier League after a promising start to the campaign.
Sections of the fanbase are becoming increasingly frustrated, and the club’s hierarchy may face a difficult decision if results do not improve. Bissouma’s situation is unlikely to change under Frank, but that could shift if the manager were to depart before the end of the season.
A managerial change often brings a clean slate for players, and a new head coach could potentially offer Bissouma a chance to rebuild his standing at the club.
