Tottenham’s capture of Yves Bissouma is the “signing of the summer” in the Premier League thus far, says pundit Paul Merson.
Antonio Conte’s side completed a £25m swoop on Brighton for the midfielder last month, with the Mali international signing a four-year contract after entering the final 12 months of his deal on the south coast.
Previously linked with the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, the 25-year-old has established himself as one of the Premier League’s leading midfielders, representing somewhat of a coup at that price.
Premier League clubs have already conducted some eye-catching business this summer with strikers Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez arriving at Manchester City and Liverpool respectively. Spurs, meanwhile, have also recruited Ivan Perisic and Richarlison.
Still, Merson believes the Bissouma signing is a potential game-changer for Spurs, suggesting United and Liverpool should have at least attempted to land him too.
“This is an unbelievable coup for Spurs as Yves Bissouma could have played for any of the other top-six sides in the Premier League,” wrote Merson for his column published on SportsKeeda.
“He’s better than Scott McTominay and Fred, I have no idea why Manchester United didn’t go in for him!
“He runs the show, affects football matches right from the get-go and is an all-round midfielder with quite a bit of Premier League experience under his belt. No disrespect to Spurs, but why didn’t some of the other teams look at him and consider making a move for him? I look at Liverpool’s midfield and feel he could play for them, especially if someone like Fabinho we’re to get injured.
“£25 million in this day and age - it’s nothing. Spurs have nabbed an absolute bargain with Bissouma and he, in my opinion, has been the signing of the summer in the Premier League so far.”
