Tottenham Hotspur are set to trigger a one-year contract extension for midfielder Yves Bissouma, a strategic move designed to prevent the player from leaving on a free transfer next summer.
Contractual Safeguard and January Sale Plans
Bissouma's current deal is due to expire in June, but the club holds an option to extend it until 2027. Spurs intend to activate this clause specifically to preserve the 29-year-old's transfer value if they cannot secure a sale during the upcoming January window. This tactic is not new for the North London club; they executed a similar manoeuvre last season with Son Heung-min, extending his contract before selling him to LAFC for a record £20 million.
A Tumultuous Season for the Midfielder
The Mali international, who joined Tottenham from Brighton for £25 million in 2022, has endured a torrid few months. His troubles began in August when he was dropped from manager Thomas Frank's first squad for the Super Cup as a disciplinary measure for persistent lateness. A training ground injury followed soon after.
Upon his return to fitness, Bissouma suffered a more serious setback, injuring his knee while on international duty with Mali in October. The injury required surgery, and he has been sidelined ever since. Consequently, he was not named in Tottenham's Champions League squad and has yet to make a single appearance under Frank this season.
Competition and Recovery Timeline
In his absence, the defensive midfield roles have been shared by Joao Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr, and Archie Gray. Bissouma's current recovery schedule presents a race against time to be fit for the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins in December and concludes with the final on January 18.
Compounding his professional challenges, it was revealed in court during November that Bissouma had been a victim of fraud, with £800,000 stolen from his Coutts bank account.
Transfer Market Implications
Tottenham will listen to offers for Bissouma in January, with Fulham among the clubs monitoring his situation. However, any potential buyers hoping to capitalise on his dwindling contract will be disappointed if the club option is triggered, as it would effectively extend his stay and maintain his price tag. Spurs had wanted more than £10 million for the player during fleeting summer interest from Turkish clubs Fenerbahce and Galatasaray.
Despite the current circumstances, Bissouma is settled in England and is thought to favour continuing his career in the Premier League, where he has played since his £15 million move from Lille to Brighton in 2018.
