Yves Bissouma is on his way to Tottenham Hotspur to complete his transfer from Brighton, football.london understands.
The 25-year-old midfielder was due to set off on a flight to the UK on Wednesday and set to stay overnight at The Lodge, the hotel within Tottenham's Hotspur Way training complex in Enfield, before completing his medical on Thursday and the formalities of his move from Brighton.
Bissouma had gone off at half-time of Mali’s game away to South Sudan last week with an ankle injury and has been spotted on crutches and with a protective boot in images since, but he assured fans on social media that the injury was not serious. Spurs are expected to complete the deal for Bissouma for a fee that could rise to more than £30m with add-ons. The Mali international midfielder has been a key player for the Seagulls under Graham Potter in recent seasons and has drawn plenty of interest from Europe's top sides.
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However, with his contract reaching its final year, Spurs were able to steal a march on their rivals and agree a deal that could represent a bargain for the player, who will now compete with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Rodrigo Bentancur and Oliver Skipp for a place in midfield, with Harry Winks expected to leave the club this summer with Everton among the interested parties.
Bissouma will add even more quality to those Antonio Conte's ranks as Spurs look to increase the level of the squad for all the competitions ahead, including their return to the Champions League.
The Brighton midfielder has been in the headlines this season off the pitch after he was arrested last year, along with another man, following an investigation into an incident at a Brighton nightclub.
In response to a query about the incident, Sussex Police told football.london: "A man in his 40s from Brighton who was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault has had his conditional bail extended until June 24, 2022. A man in his 20s, also from Brighton, who was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault has been released under investigation while enquiries continue."
The Seagulls said back in October after the arrest: "Brighton & Hove Albion are aware that one of its players is assisting police with the investigation of an alleged offence. The matter is subject to a legal process and the club is therefore unable to make further comment at this time."
Bissouma is set to be Spurs' third signing of the summer, with the transfer window having only opened on Friday. Both Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster have signed on as free agents and Tottenham are expected to continue their upgrade of Conte's squad with a flurry of new faces over the weeks to come.
