Graham Potter makes honest Yves Bissouma admission after failed Aston Villa transfer bid

Brighton manager Graham Potter claims he hasn't "seen anything different" with Yves Bissouma amid the midfielder's quiet displays following the close of the January transfer window.

According to reports, the 25-year-old was a target for several Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Arsenal.

Aston Villa firmed up their interest with a reported £35million bid, but Brighton were demanding an offer closer to £50million.

With Bissouma set to enter the final 12 months of his Brighton contract at the end of the season, Villa were not willing to increase their bid and are likely to revisit the transfer in the summer.

The Mali international started for Brighton in their 2-0 defeat to Villa at the weekend and the he was uncharacteristically quiet. In fact, since Bissouma returned to Brighton from AFCON earlier this month, he has been out of form in the three starts he has made against Burnley, Manchester United and Villa.

But Potter isn't worried about his dip in form over the past month.

“He [Bissouma] played well at Manchester United in the first-half, he did okay. I think we then suffered as a team as we went down to ten men and that affects his performance,” said Potter.

"Against Burnley as a team we did not play well and Yves [Bissouma] was part of that team. I am sure if he was sat here he would say the same. It wasn't one of his good games but I don't think it's anything to do with his body language or anything he is doing differently.

“I think when the team doesn't play well it is hard for guys to play well as individuals. I think it was the same again (against Aston Villa).

“I think we were better as a team, I thought his performance was better. Was his performance 9/10, 10/10, probably not, but again