Leicester are ready to rival Arsenal’s interest in Brighton star Yves Bissouma.
The Mali midfielder’s agent confirmed the Gunners’ interest earlier this month with boss Mikel Arteta keen to pair him up at the Emirates with Thomas Partey.
Bissouma was a boyhood Arsenal fan as well, meaning a move to north London appeals.
But the Foxes have now joined the hunt, with manager Brendan Rodgers hoping the potential carrot of Champions League football will give him the edge as the player makes a decision on the next step in his career.
Rodgers wants to link Bissouma with Wilfred Ndidi next season in what would be a power-packed partnership.
And Brighton know they face a battle to hang on to Bissouma whether they retain their Premier League status or not this summer.
The 24-year-old has impressed since moving to the Amex from French side Lille in 2018 and has just two seasons left to run on his contract from June.
Bissouma was born in the Ivory Coast but raised in Mali and opted to play for the nation in which he’d made his home.
He started his career with Real Bamako in Mali before moving to Lille just before he turned 20.
Bissouma spent two years with the Ligue 1 outfit before Brighton paid just north of £15million to sign him.
