Tottenham Hotspur fans are expected to react angrily following reports that the club may extend Yves Bissouma’s contract, despite the midfielder not playing a single minute this season.
The Mali international has been sidelined at Spurs after his relationship with head coach Thomas Frank deteriorated. That fallout is believed to have originated from concerns over Bissouma’s conduct during the summer, along with persistent doubts about his fitness levels. Signed from Brighton for £25 million in 2022 and once seen as a vital midfield signing, Bissouma has since fallen out of favour and now appears to be heading toward an unceremonious departure.
With his contract due to expire at the end of the season, Spurs risk losing the 29-year-old on a free transfer. Football Insider has reported that West Ham United and Everton are keeping a close watch on his situation ahead of January, though neither club has yet made a formal move. His lack of game time and sharpness this season may be discouraging potential suitors.
Despite being excluded from Frank’s squad, Bissouma is still expected to represent Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations. His impending absence has reportedly prompted Tottenham to explore a controversial fallback option as they plan for next summer.
Spurs weigh up activating Bissouma’s extension
According to The Sun’s Tom Barclay, Tottenham are considering triggering a one-year extension clause in Bissouma’s contract if they fail to secure a January transfer. This would keep him tied to the club until the summer of 2027.
However, the report makes it clear that such a move would not reflect any desire to bring Bissouma back into Frank’s plans. Instead, the extension would be a precautionary step aimed at maintaining some transfer value, rather than allowing the player to leave for nothing.
Interest from overseas remains, with clubs in Turkey’s Super Lig previously linked to the midfielder and expected to renew their interest in the winter window. Fulham are also reportedly monitoring the situation, with Marco Silva keen to strengthen his midfield with added experience.
Off the field, matters have continued to deteriorate for Bissouma. His prolonged absence from competitive action has been followed by fresh disciplinary concerns after a video circulated online appearing to show him inhaling nitrous oxide. Thomas Frank confirmed that the club was aware of the incident and was handling the issue internally.
Fan frustration likely to grow
For many Spurs supporters, this latest twist feels like another poor decision in a saga that has dragged on far too long. Over the past 18 months, Bissouma’s spell in north London has been marked by inconsistency, controversy, and unmet expectations, leading many fans to believe his time at the club is already over.
From their perspective, the answer is straightforward: sell him in January and allow both parties to move on. Even if the extension is motivated by financial caution, it is likely to provoke backlash from supporters who want Bissouma off the payroll as quickly as possible.
Currently, he offers no on-field contribution and remains detached from the first-team setup. Keeping him under contract for another year and a half appears illogical, especially given the lack of any indication that he will feature under the current manager.
With Bissouma turning 30 next summer, short of match fitness, and lacking recent competitive football, Spurs are unlikely to command a meaningful transfer fee. Many fans will argue that holding onto him in the hope of a modest return is not worth the ongoing frustration and disruption.
Should Tottenham proceed with the extension, patience among supporters may be stretched to breaking point. What looks like a sensible financial safeguard could quickly turn into a much larger problem, making the decision to extend Bissouma’s contract seem like an unnecessary risk for minimal gain.
