Tottenham: West Ham and Graham Potter eye Yves Bissouma | OneFootball

The Malian midfielder sidelined by Thomas Frank could reunite with his former coach in East London.

Tottenham: West Ham and Graham Potter eye Yves Bissouma

Yves Bissouma is attracting serious interest from West Ham as the transfer window draws to a close. The Malian international, currently out of favor at Tottenham, could reunite with Graham Potter, his former manager at Brighton. The Hammers are exploring several options to seal the deal before the market shuts.

West Ham are seriously considering signing Yves Bissouma in the final days of the summer transfer window. The 28-year-old defensive midfielder is no longer in Thomas Frank's plans at Tottenham and is searching for a way out. Former Brighton coach Graham Potter, now at the helm of the Hammers, knows the Malian midfielder’s qualities inside out.

A delicate situation at Spurs

Bissouma has faced a tough spell at Tottenham since the arrival of the new manager. The international midfielder hasn't featured in either of the first two Premier League matches this season, missing out even on the matchday squads. This exclusion follows disciplinary issues that have strained his relationship with the club’s management.

The situation worsened after João Palhinha arrived from Fulham. The Portuguese now occupies the holding midfield role that Bissouma once commanded. The London club has even put the former Brighton player on the transfer list to facilitate his exit.

Potter banking on his knowledge

Graham Potter sees Bissouma as the answer to his midfield woes. The heavy 5-1 defeat to Chelsea exposed the Hammers’ shortcomings in the center of the pitch. The Ward-Prowse–Soucek duo couldn’t withstand the Blues’ attacking power, leaving the English manager short of solutions. During his Brighton tenure, Potter made Bissouma one of his key players. He especially values the midfielder’s versatility, physical strength, and ball-winning abilities. Their mutual understanding would help Bissouma adapt seamlessly to West Ham’s tactical setup.

West Ham are weighing up different approaches to sign the Malian midfielder. A permanent transfer remains the preferred option, but a loan with a purchase option isn’t ruled out. The London club’s management is looking to negotiate down the €25 million asking price set by Tottenham. The player himself wouldn’t oppose a return to London, even if it means joining a direct rival. His top priority is to secure regular playing time before the international break. With the transfer window closing on August 30, all parties are ramping up negotiations.