Tottenham are looking to pip Aston Villa in the race to sign midfielder Yves Bissouma, according to journalist Fabrice Hawkins.

The Lowdown: Bentancur saga

Villa have been after a new midfielder all month, with reliable reporter David Ornstein believing the club could look at signing one on deadline day.

The club have had a bid turned down for Bissouma, while top flight rivals Spurs look set to win the race for Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, who Villa also made an offer for.

It now seems as if Tottenham could look to pip Villa owners NSWE in a transfer race again with Bissouma this time, even though there are just hours remaining of the winter window.

The Latest: ‘Intense’ talks

Hawkins took to Twitter to provide an update on Bissouma, revealing he could leave Brighton.

He added that Villa, Spurs and Manchester United are trying to sign him, labelling discussions as ‘intense’.

Brighton are asking for at least €45m (£37.4m) to part ways with the Mali international who is into the final 18 months of his current contract.

The Verdict: Wait until the summer

Villa’s initial bid for Bissouma was thought to be worth £25m, and should they pay Brighton’s asking price on deadline day, he would become the club’s most expensive signing of all time.

However, should they keep everything crossed and hope he remains on the south coast for the second half of the season, you’d like to think that valuation would drop. If Bissouma’s situation remains the same, he’d be into the final 12 months of his contract, where another £25m offer could perhaps twist Brighton’s arm.

It may be a case of hoping Daniel Levy and Spurs miss out on Bissouma in the final hours, with Villa surely set to be back in for him on the summer.

In other news: 'Ridiculous' - Lots of Aston Villa fans fume at 'the dumbest' deadline day move.