Tottenham agree £25m Yves Bissouma transfer in huge blow to Arsenal as Conte lands third summer signing

TOTTENHAM have agreed an initial £25million deal to sign Brighton star Yves Bissouma.

Spurs boss Antonio Conte has beaten Arsenal to the punch after identifying Bissouma as a top summer target.

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The Mali international is regarded as one of the best footballers playing outside the Premier League's 'Big Six'.

And after entering the final year of his contract, Bissouma is now set to join Spurs for £25m ahead of a medical this week.

But the figure will rise considerably once various add-ons are taken into account.

The 25-year-old joined Brighton from Lille for £17million in 2018.

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And he went on to play 112 times for the Seagulls after establishing himself as a key player.

Aston Villa had a bid rejected by Brighton in January.

But Bissouma is now set for Champions League football after Tottenham moved for his signature, with Everton and Southampton target Harry Winks set to make way.

Boss Conte has already made two signings this summer, with Southampton goalie Fraser Forster and Inter Milan wing-back Ivan Perisic joining Spurs on free transfers.

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Yet despite landing Juventus' Rodrigo Bentancur in January, Conte made it clear to Daniel Levy and sporting director Fabio Paratici that he still needed another top-level midfielder.

Dynamo Bissouma ticks all the boxes required to play in Conte's 3-4-3 system.

And he is now set to follow in the footsteps of N'Golo Kante and Nicolo Barella by becoming the beating heart in Conte's set-up.

But Tottenham's summer spending is unlikely to stop there.

Everton's Richarlison is Conte's top choice for a new forward.

And Spurs have reportedly offered over £50m to land the Brazil international, who wants to quit Goodison Park.

Conte also wants at least one new centre-back.

And Torino's Gleison Bremer - Serie A Defender of the Season - is available with a buyout clause of £34m.

Spurs could yet re-sign former playmaker Christian Eriksen too.

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The Dane is available on a free after leaving Brentford, and may jump at the chance to play under Conte at his old home once more.

Tottenham also hope to wrap up a deal for Middlesbrough's right wing-back Djed Spence.