Tottenham Hotspur have signed Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Yves Bissouma for a fee in excess of £25 million.
He has signed a four-year-deal at the north London club, and will join subject to the granting of a work permit.
Bissouma, 25, becomes Antonio Conte’s third signing of the summer after the arrivals of goalkeeper Fraser Forster and winger Ivan Perisic.
The Mali international’s contract at Brighton was set to expire next summer and he was attracting interest from Aston Villa, who made an attempt to sign him in the winter transfer window.
In the end, it was Spurs who made a move and were able to offer him the opportunity to play Champions League football after finishing fourth last season.
Bissouma started 26 league games for Graham Potter’s team in 2021-22, scoring one goal. He was formidable in the heart of their midfield as they finished 9th in the table – the highest ever position in the club’s history.
Brighton manager Graham Potter said: “The transfer is a very good one for the club and player.
“Yves has shown his undoubted ability and been an important player during his time with us.
“Now he has a new challenge with Tottenham, including the opportunity to play Champions League football, and everyone at the club wishes him well.”
Bissouma was arrested under suspicion of sexual assault in Brighton last October.
He was released under investigation and was permitted to travel to Cameroon to play in the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
The police investigation is ongoing.
