Antonio Conte is wasting no time in improving his Tottenham Hotspur side in time for the new season. After securing deals for Croatia international Ivan Perisic and backup goalkeeper Fraser Forster, the Italian coach is close to making his biggest signing yet – Yves Bissouma is coming from Brighton.Spurs have agreed what seems like a bargain deal to pay $30 million for the 25-year-old Mali international. The price would have been much higher if Bissouma had more than just a year left on his contract. With the African reluctant to extend his stay on the south coast of England, the Seagulls knew that this was the last chance to receive any sort of a substantial fee for their star performer.🚨 BREAKING: Tottenham have agreed a fee of around £25m for Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma.(Source: @garyjacob) pic.twitter.com/QXS1MRGFoC— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) June 14, 2022 In another universe, Bissouma is an Arsenal player after the Gunners were credited with a serious interest in the player who had joined Brighton from LOSC Lille in 2018. However, in our universe, the former AS Real Bamako man is going to a slightly different address in North London.The imminent arrival of this Ivory Coast-born Malian marks another significant step in Conte’s rebuilding the team to his taste. Bissouma will likely form a midfield partnership with Rodrigo Betancur, Spurs’ impressive January signing from Juventus.The no-nonsense Italian wants at least four more signings: two defenders, a creative midfielder and a goalscorer. His idea is to have the players in as soon as possible, preferably before the team’s pre-season tour of South Korea in the middle of July. Tottenham are quietly confident of securing Christian Eriksen’s return as a free agent after the midfielder’s short-term deal at Brentford. Tottenham also have an interest in Everton’s Richarlison.Wednesday, 19.00: (2.50) Ittihad Tanger (2.85) Fus Rabat (3.10)Conte wants to offload around eight players, including Sergio Reguilon, Emerson Royal, Steven Bergwijn, Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele. Central midfielder Harry Winks is also likely to leave as a direct consequence of Bissouma’s signing.According to reports in England, Conte has been given a transfer kitty of around $180 million to bolster his squad. He’s already close to bringing three players in, with two arriving on free transfers. That’s what you call a good business sense.
