Tottenham Hotspur are preparing to trigger a one-year contract extension for midfielder Yves Bissouma as they seek to protect his transfer value ahead of the January window.
Contract Situation and Club Strategy
The Mali international's current deal expires in June 2025, but Spurs hold an option to extend until 2026 which they intend to activate. This strategic move would prevent the 29-year-old from leaving as a free agent next summer and maintain his market value should suitable offers arrive in January.
This approach mirrors Tottenham's handling of Son Heung-min's situation last season, when they activated an extension before selling the forward to LAFC for a record MLS fee of £20 million in July.
Bissouma's Troubled Season
Despite featuring in 52 matches across all competitions last season and starting May's Europa League final, Bissouma has yet to make an appearance under manager Thomas Frank this campaign.
The midfielder's exclusion began in August when he was dropped for disciplinary reasons due to persistent lateness ahead of the Super Cup clash against Paris Saint-Germain. Shortly afterwards, he suffered a training ground injury that further delayed his return.
Just as he regained fitness in October, Bissouma sustained a knee injury while on international duty with Mali, requiring surgery that has kept him sidelined ever since. His absence from Tottenham's Champions League squad highlights his diminished role.
Midfield Competition and Transfer Interest
In Bissouma's absence, Frank has deployed Joao Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr and Archie Gray in the two defensive midfield positions within his preferred 4-2-3-1 system.
Tottenham will entertain offers in January, with Fulham among clubs monitoring the situation. However, potential buyers hoping for a bargain as his contract winds down may be disappointed if the extension is triggered, securing Bissouma until 2026.
Turkish clubs Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray showed brief interest during the summer window, but no deal materialised as Spurs held out for more than £10 million for a player they signed from Brighton for £25 million in 2022.
Bissouma's recovery timeline currently has him racing to be fit for the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins in Morocco this December and concludes with the final on January 18th. The established Premier League player, who originally joined Brighton from Lille for £15 million in 2018, is understood to favour continuing his career in England.
