Sources: Tottenham ready Yves Bissouma contingency plan after key twist
Premier League interest in Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma has waned ahead of the January window, sources have told Football Insider.
Bissouma was being tracked by Everton and West Ham back in September, but neither are understood to be likely to take their interest to the next level this winter.
Sources have indicated to Football Insider that neither club view the Mali international as a “top priority” for the upcoming window, with both parties needing to strengthen elsewhere in their squads.
That is set to push Tottenham further towards their contingency plan of triggering a one-year extension on Bissouma if they fail to sell him next month, rather than losing him for free in the summer.
Yves Bissouma has no future at Tottenham whatsoever
Bissouma has been cut adrift from the first-team squad at Tottenham in recent months, after another disciplinary issue early into Thomas Frank’s reign.
The ex-Brighton man had issues with his timekeeping during Ange Postecoglou’s tenure, and he was axed from the squad for Spurs’ UEFA Super Cup final back in August for the same issue.
He hasn’t made a single competitive appearance for the Lilywhites since then and was notably left out of their squad for the Champions League.
Frank has made it clear that there is no way back for Bissouma with the North London outfit ahead of his contract expiring next summer, and the possibility of Tottenham extending his deal for another year is merely intended to try and protect his transfer value.
A sale in January is Spurs’ preferred scenario by far, but they may be forced into using their back-up plan if interest doesn’t build again in the coming weeks.
Yves Bissouma situation could be altered by Thomas Frank sack
Tottenham have no immediate plans to sack Frank despite their recent struggles, but the pressure on the Dane has continued to build after another defeat.
His team were beaten 3-0 away at Nottingham Forest last weekend, a result that has left them languishing in 11th in the Premier League table, despite enjoying a bright start in the opening months.
Frustration is mounting towards Frank from some sections of the fanbase, and that could leave the club hierarchy with a difficult decision to make in a few months if the situation doesn’t improve.
Bissouma has no way back while the ex-Brentford boss is in charge, but things could easily change if he were to lose his position before the end of the season.
The arrival of a new manager typically resets the entire squad back to square one, and that could give Bissouma the opportunity to make up for his mistakes at the club.