Aston Villa to drop out of race for Brighton star after midfielder signing

Steven Gerrard made no secret of his interest in the midfielder during the January transfer window as he confirmed that there was a bid for the Albion star.

The bid was rejected, but with Bissouma entering the final year of his contract it was expected that Aston Villa would make another move for him.

However, that now seems unlikely following the club's signing of French midfielder Boubacar Kamara on a five-year deal.

Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma, left, and Lewis Dunk

The 22-year-old will move to Villa Park from Ligue 1 side Marseille after his contract expires in the summer.

Kamara has just earned his first call-up to the France national team following an impressive season in which Marseille secured a second-placed finish and reached the Europa Conference League semi-finals.

Kamara is manager Steven Gerrard’s second summer recruit after Philippe Coutinho, who joined the club on loan from Barcelona in January, agreed a permanent move.

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Gerrard told the club’s website: “I am delighted that we have been able to attract one of the most promising young talents in European football.

“We have a very clear plan to make our team stronger and Bouba is an important part of that.”

Bissouma has been linked with an exit from the club for the last year, but if he is to leave the club it does not seem like Villa will be his next destination.