Report: Tottenham Hotspur midfielder set to leave in January | OneFootball

Tottenham weigh exit route for Bissouma amid renewed concerns

Tottenham Hotspur are preparing to cut ties with Yves Bissouma, with The Times reporting that the club will attempt to sell the midfielder in January following another episode that has strained trust behind the scenes. The situation reflects a club increasingly intolerant of off field distractions as it looks to impose higher standards under new leadership.

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Bissouma’s contract expires next summer, and Spurs are determined not to repeat mistakes of the past by allowing a senior asset to run down his deal for nothing. As The Times outlined, the club are prepared to trigger a one year extension clause if no buyer emerges, a pragmatic move designed to protect value rather than an endorsement of his long term future.

The issue is not ability. Bissouma has made 100 appearances for Tottenham and “demonstrated his talent in the Europa League final in May, when Postecoglou’s side defeated Manchester United to win the cup in Bilbao.” That performance remains a reminder of what he can offer when focused and fit.

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Frank sets early tone on discipline

Thomas Frank has wasted little time establishing his authority. Bissouma has not played a single minute under the Dane since he took charge in the summer, and Frank’s handling of the situation has been firm. After footage emerged appearing to show Bissouma inhaling nitrous oxide, Frank confirmed: “It’s an internal matter that we are dealing with at the moment and when we have dealt with that, then I will comment on it.”

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This followed an earlier decision to drop Bissouma from the squad for the Uefa Super Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain in August after he had been late “several times.” An ankle injury that required surgery in October further stalled any chance of reintegration, leaving his Spurs career drifting at a time when clarity was needed.

Frank’s stance mirrors that of his predecessor. Ange Postecoglou had previously suspended the midfielder for one game after he was filmed allegedly using nitrous oxide, saying Bissouma needed “to build trust back with both me and the group.” The player later admitted a “severe lack of judgment,” yet the pattern of setbacks has continued.

Market realities shape January plans

Tottenham’s preference is a clean break. Interest exists, particularly from France, with Nice and Marseille monitoring developments. Fenerbahçe remain a possibility after aborting a move in August due to fitness concerns, and Bissouma was recently pictured training in a Fenerbahçe shirt, an image that has only fuelled speculation.

Premier League interest from Everton and West Ham United was present last summer, though it remains unclear whether either would return in January. A move abroad appears more likely, especially with Graham Potter no longer at West Ham after being replaced by Nuno Espírito Santo.

Spurs accept that any fee will likely fall well below the £25million paid to Brighton in 2022. The alternative is absorbing another year of wages, a risk the club are willing to take if it avoids losing him for free.

Uncertainty complicated by international duty

Timing may prove awkward. Bissouma has been selected by Mali for the Africa Cup of Nations, with group games scheduled for the end of this month. Mali are expected to reach the knockout stage, potentially delaying any January move and complicating negotiations.

For now, Tottenham balance discipline, finances and squad planning. Frank will address the media on Friday ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest, but the broader message is already clear. Talent alone no longer guarantees patience in N17.

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Bissouma arrived with real optimism, and flashes of his best football, especially that Europa League final display, showed why Spurs invested heavily in him. Yet expectation brings responsibility, and patience among fans has worn thin.

There is a sense that standards are finally being enforced consistently. Seeing Frank draw a hard line early is reassuring for supporters desperate for a culture shift. Discipline has been a recurring issue at Tottenham across eras, and many fans will quietly approve of a manager prepared to back words with action.

That said, selling Bissouma for significantly less than £25million will sting. Supporters understand the financial logic of extending his deal to protect value, but emotionally there is a desire to move on, even at a loss, to signal a fresh start. With Spurs trying to re establish credibility and push back towards the top four, squad harmony matters as much as individual quality.

Most fans would accept a January exit if it clears the air and frees resources for players fully committed to the project. The overriding feeling is simple, Spurs want reliability as much as brilliance, and right now, many no longer see that balance in Bissouma.