Brighton and Hove Albion would be willing to sell reported Aston Villa target Yves Bissouma if 'a decent offer' arrived. 

That's according to journalist Alex Crook, who was speaking to GiveMeSport.

The lowdown

The Athletic's Gregg Evans has described Bissouma as Villa's 'top target in defensive midfield' after a pursuit lasting two transfer windows.

After seeing a £35million bid turned down in January, Evans reported that Villa would 'consider another push' for the Malian in the summer.

On Monday, Villa announced that they had secured the signature of Boubacar Kamara following the expiry of his Marseille contract.

Kamara can play as a defensive midfielder, but Steven Gerrard may yet to look to deploy him as a centre-back.

Indeed, Football Insider have previously claimed that the Villa boss is dissatisfied with one of his existing options in Ezri Konsa, while Kamara is a capable defender.

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The latest

Crook urges Villa supporters to 'keep an eye on' the 25 year-old Bissouma ahead of the summer transfer window.

He tells GMS that Brighton have potential replacements at their disposal already and so may be open to letting him leave for the right price.

"Yves Bissouma's one to keep an eye on, because I think Brighton, if they get a decent offer from someone like Aston Villa, they would be willing to sell, because they've got Caicedo, who's come into the team at the end of the season and played quite well," he said.

"They've got Mwepu, who they think can have a decent second season as well."

The verdict

Kamara and Bissouma are different players. Based on their respective WhoScored profiles, Bissouma is markedly more combative, and while he can dribble effectively, passing isn't as big a part of his game.

The signing of one, then, doesn't necessarily preclude a move for the other, especially if it's on favourable terms for Villa.

With his contract due to expire in 2023, Brighton's negotiating position is getting weaker.

The £31.5million-rated Bissouma showed Gerrard and his staff just how good he can be in the manager's first game in charge back in November.

Villa may have run out 2-0 winners that day, but Bissouma picked up the highest SofaScore rating of any player in the Brighton side after he won ten out of 14 ground duels, produced a whopping seven tackles, completed all three dribbles he attempted and misplaced just four passes. It was a midfielder masterclass Gerrard would be proud of himself.

In other news, Gregg Evans heaps praise on one Villa star after what he did vs Man City.