Aston Villa have withdrawn from the race to sign reported Arsenal target Yves Bissouma if recent reports are to be believed.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for the Brighton midfielder in recent years and Italian outlet Calciomercato reported on Tuesday that the Mali international is 'destined' to join Mikel Arteta's side this summer. Their report claims that the north Londoners are ahead of Serie A side AS Roma in the race to sign the tough-tackling maestro, who excited some Arsenal fans over the weekend when he shared a message on his Instagram story about potentially being a target.
The caption read: "For me I think he [Bissouma] and [Youri] Tielemans should be our [Arsenal] priority in midfield. We must get Bissouma at all cost.”
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Now, Gregg Evans of The Athletic has reported that Bissouma is no longer on Aston Villa's transfer shortlist, meaning the Gunners have less competition in the race to sign the 25-year-old if they are indeed interested in doing so. The former Lille star has established himself as one of the Premier League's most consistent no.8s in recent times, with Arsenal hero Paul Merson backing his old side to try and sign him.
Speaking about Bissouma to Sky Sports News back in April 2021, Merson said: “Off the top of my head, I am thinking Arsenal would take him, Manchester United would take him.
“There are not too many people around in football at the moment who can break things up and pass the ball at the same time.”
