Arsenal are interested in the possibility of signing Yves Bissouma football.london understands, but any move for the Brighton midfielder is likely to be in the summer.
The 24-year-old has been linked with several top clubs across Europe in recent months, with both Arsenal and Liverpool expressing interest before the transfer window opened last month.
A close friend of Bissouma's told football.london that he 'loves the Premier League' and would choose Arsenal over any other Premier League club if they came in for him.
There is also the added bonus of the Mali international's close relationship with his former Lille teammates and current Arsenal pair Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel, with the pair are understood to speak regularly.
Contact has already been made with Bissouma's agent Michael N’Cho, but a summer move is seen as more realistic as Arsenal have set their sights on a creative midfield arrival in January.
The Gunners are currently struggling financially and recently had to take out a £120m loan to help boost cash flow in the short-term.
However, come the summer they are likely to need central midfield reinforcements come the summer, with Granit Xhaka's future uncertain, Joe Willock not considered ready to be a first team regular and Dani Ceballos set to return to Real Madrid when his loan expires at the end of the season.
This would mean that a move is far more likely to happen then.
There are some concerns within the club over the player's discipline. He has received five yellow cards and one red in 16 appearances for Brighton this season, and ranks joint fourth overall in the league for total fouls committed with 28.
Despite this though it is thought that Bissouma could be a potentially ideal long-term partner for Thomas Partey.
Brighton boss Graham Potter has already outlined the midfielders key strengths that he can bring to the Arsenal side.
"He wins a lot of balls back and physically he is in a good place," he said.
“He makes good decisions and he has the power, athleticism and technical qualities to deal with the ball. It’s then just the tactical understanding which I think he has developed.”
Arsenal are still active in January transfer market and are looking to bring in a creative midfielder to add to the signing of Omar Rekik.
football.london understands that Emi Buendia is open to the possibility of a move to the Emirates however, a deal for Julian Brandt is less likely.
The German is thought to want to stay and fight for his place at the Westfalenstadion despite limited appearances this season. He would potentially be interested in a loan however, Borussia Dortmund rarely do business in a the middle of the January transfer window.
