"Good addition" - Journalist drops AVFC claim on £50m Jan target who may now cost "cheaper fee"

Aston Villa might be able to sign Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Yves Bissouma ‘for a cheaper fee’ in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The 25-year-old was linked with an exit from the Amex Stadium during January before staying put but could seek pastures new when the market reopens following the conclusion of the current campaign.

Bissouma has gone from strength to strength since signing for Brighton back in July 2018, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most dominant engine room operators.

And his impressive performances on the south coast have reportedly caught the eye of several potential suitors, with Sky Sports claiming Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are all looking for players of his profile.

A report from The Athletic also confirmed Villa’s interest in Bissouma during the winter window, with Brighton expected to demand around £50 million for their prized asset.

However, Steven Gerrard revealed that an offer was ‘turned away’ for the Mali international, and now the Seagulls could be forced to part ways with him for a lower fee due to his contract situation.

Bissouma has now entered the final 18 months of his existing deal, and with no signs of him putting pen to paper on fresh terms, next summer could be Brighton’s final opportunity to receive a substantial fee for him.

Brighton have been in poor form of late, losing six consecutive Premier League games, including against Villa.

And Bissouma put in a poor display against the Midlands outfit, achieving a lowly WhoScored rating of 6.3, and was dropped from the side for the following fixture.

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