Potter insists Arsenal target Bissouma is ‘happy’ at Brighton

Graham Potter believes star midfielder Yves Bissouma is happy at Brighton, despite links with Arsenal and Liverpool.

The 24-year-old put in some excellent displays last season as Brighton finished 16th in the Premier League on 41 points.

His performance against Everton back in April resulted in Jamie Carragher tipping him for a ‘top dollar’ move.

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And a transfer seemed likely last month when the Seagulls brought in Enock Mwepu from Red Bull Salzburg, who is a similar type of midfielder to Bissouma.

However, Arsenal and Liverpool are yet to bid for the Mali international.

Speaking ahead of Brighton’s trip to Burnley on Saturday afternoon, Potter said: “I’ve been speaking about Yves Bissouma for quite some time and he’s still here.

“That’s all I can say on it. I can’t control the future, I don’t know what’s going to happen essentially – that’s the beauty of life and football.

“Yves is with us, he’s happy, he’s smiling, he wants to play, he wants to keep improving his career, he’s taking steps.

“He’s our player and, while he’s still here, we’ll do our best to help him.”

When asked about the possibility of new arrivals at the Amex stadium, Potter added: “While the window is open, you never know, that’s how football is.

“That’s the beauty of the transfer window, there’s lots of speculation, that’s part of the noise.

“We have to spend it wisely, which is the right player, the right person; if that comes along then of course then it helps us to help the group.

“We’ve got that possibility but if not we have to keep improving the players that we have here, that’s my job.”

Former Arsenal star Ray Parlour recently backed the Gunners to get a deal over the line earlier this summer.

“[Signing] Bissouma will be superb,” he said.

“I think he is efficient, he has got lots of energy, good on the ball, he is young enough for Arsenal to get four years out of him.”

Arsenal have already improved their midfield with the signing of 21-year-old Belgian Albert Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht.

They have also managed to retain Granit Xhaka, despite the Switzerland star being closely linked with Roma.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have only brought in French centre-back Ibrahima Konate this summer.

They’ve been boosted by the return of Jordan Henderson, who is close to being match fit.

The influential Englishman came on as a substitute in Liverpool’s 3-1 friendly win over Osasuna earlier this week.