Everton are trying to sign a new central midfielder.
Talks are ongoing with Middlesbrough over a deal for Hayden Hackney – who has already been the subject of £12m and £15m bids from Everton. Both were rejected, and Crystal Palace are expected to enter the race with an official offer too.
Long before Everton started pursuing the England U21 international, Yves Bissouma was a target last summer, but ultimately ended up staying at Tottenham.
Now – however – the Toffees can sign the Mali international on a free transfer after Spurs announced he had been released.
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Yves Bissouma now a free transfer opportunity for Everton
It was Sacha Tavolieri who initially claimed back in August 2025 that Everton were monitoring the former Brighton midfielder amid doubts over his future in north London.
Bissouma eventually stayed put, but after managing just 11 Premier League appearances due to a knee injury last season, Tottenham have decided not to offer the 29-year-old a new deal.
It means the Malian is now a free agent, and can even be signed by Everton once the transfer window has closed if his situation remains unchanged.
Clearly, Hackney is the main target to bolster the central midfield department, but with Tottenham also keen on the 23-year-old along with Crystal Palace, it would be wise for Everton to line up alternatives.
It remains to be seen if Everton are still interested in Bissouma, but considering David Moyes tends to prefer older players with Premier League experience – such as James Tarkowski, Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane – it would not surprise us one bit if the Glaswegian made him a contract offer.
The main question mark is whether the former Lille star is over the injuries which heavily disrupted his 2025/26 campaign.
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If Bissouma can prove his fitness, he could end up being an astute replacement for Gueye, who turns 37 in November and is yet to sign a new contract as talks go on.
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