Tottenham's Bissouma Dilemma: Contract Extension or January Sale?
Tottenham Hotspur face a critical decision regarding midfielder Yves Bissouma that could significantly impact their January transfer plans and financial flexibility. Despite the 29-year-old being frozen out of the first team under manager Thomas Frank, Spurs are prepared to activate a one-year contract extension to protect their investment.
The Fall from Grace
Bissouma's current deal expires at the end of this season, which would allow him to depart on a free transfer. Having paid £25 million to sign him from Brighton in 2022, Tottenham are determined to recoup some of that investment. The Mali international hasn't featured for Spurs this season despite making 44 appearances across all competitions under previous manager Ange Postecoglou last campaign.
The situation deteriorated when Bissouma was dropped from the squad ahead of the Super Cup clash against Paris Saint-Germain as disciplinary action for repeatedly arriving late to training. Subsequent injuries and another problem while on international duty with Mali further complicated matters. The Daily Mail reports that Bissouma is 'unlikely to play again for Tottenham', a stance reinforced by his omission from the Champions League squad.
Spurs' Risky Contract Strategy
Tottenham's plan to trigger the one-year option in January mirrors their approach with Son Heung-min last season before selling him to LAFC for an MLS record £20 million. The club will listen to offers for Bissouma in the January window but are demanding upwards of £10 million for the midfielder.
Potential suitors have emerged, with Turkish clubs Fenerbahce and Galatasaray showing summer interest. More significantly, Premier League rivals Fulham are named as potential January suitors. The Cottagers are expected to invest after manager Marco Silva expressed disappointment following a quiet summer transfer window.
Why Tottenham Should Push for January Resolution
While Spurs may feel empowered by the contract extension option, this strategy carries substantial risk. If Bissouma doesn't feature at club level for the remainder of the season, combined with his disciplinary record, it could deter summer bids entirely. This would create what sources describe as a 'nightmare situation' for Tottenham.
The club could end up paying the star's substantial wages for another 12 months without any return on investment, rather than bolstering their budget with a transfer fee. The ideal solution appears to be a quick January sale to a club like Fulham. Should that fail, simply releasing Bissouma at season's end could be wiser, freeing up wage bill space and avoiding a protracted summer transfer saga.
Meanwhile, Tottenham are reportedly eyeing a transfer windfall as Leeds United are linked with a £25 million move for an alternative to Ivan Toney, indicating the north London club's broader transfer market ambitions beyond the Bissouma situation.
