Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma has been linked with a move away from the North London giants all summer after a poor 2024/25 season.
The Spurs star got himself into further trouble after turning up late a few times under new boss Thomas Frank, which forced the Danish tactician to omit him from the UEFA Super Cup squad.
All signs were pointing to an exit from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Bissouma, with clubs in Turkey closely monitoring his situation.
However, Frank has revealed that Bissouma, who has made 100 appearances for Spurs, will likely remain at the club after the close of the Turkish and Saudi Arabian summer transfer window.
Asked about Bissouma’s status, Frank said (via Football London): “I will be surprised if anyone is leaving us now, so yes, he’s part of the squad.”
Unfortunately, Bissouma’s stay means he is now entering the final year of his contract at Tottenham, and with no new deal on the horizon, he could leave for free next summer.
That is where the dilemma lies. While we’ve long argued that cashing in on Bissouma made sense, his role in this squad cannot be ignored.
Joao Palhinha is the clear starter, but beyond him, the drop-off in natural defensive midfield options is glaring.
Rodrigo Bentancur possesses the tactical intelligence and composure to fill in, and Lucas Bergvall is versatile enough to cover ground in a deeper role.
Still, neither has the instincts of a true ball-winner who thrives in screening the defence.
If Spurs were to sell Bissouma now, the club would be leaving itself dangerously light in one of the most critical areas of the pitch.
Keeping the Malian international (41 caps) for another season might not be the ideal financial solution.
But in terms of balance and protection for Frank’s system, he remains a necessary insurance policy, whether fans like it or not.
Stats from Transfermarkt