Chelsea are prepared to offer Hakim Ziyech as part of an audacious bid to sign Yves Bissouma.
Graham Potter's January recruitment drive shows no sign of slowing down and the under-fire Chelsea boss is desperate for midfield reinforcements after strengthening virtually every other area of their squad.
With N'Golo Kante injured and likely to be out until March, Potter is desperate for a domineering presence in his engine room.
The pursuit of Benifca's World Cup star Enzo Fernandez ended in failure and an ugly slanging match, while Brighton are reluctant to lose Moises Caciedo in what remains of the current window and have already rejected a £55million bid.
'It is difficult to change with another player now at this stage,' said Brighton boss De Zerbi on Friday. 'I hope he finishes the season with us, but it's always difficult to be certain.
'When big teams want our players, it's good news for the club. The best solution is that he finishes the season with us and for him, in the summer, it's better then if he changes teams.
'I don't know if he will continue to play like this - the last games - it is possible he can leave for another team [in the summer].'
Spurs, meanwhile, are similarly reluctant, according to The Daily Telegraph, to lose Bissouma despite his struggles since joining from Brighton in the summer in a deal worth an initial £25million.
The 26-year-old started on the bench against both Arsenal and Manchester City in the last week and has struggled to convince Antonio Conte of his worth.
Despite his initial struggles, Spurs want to keep a player they were desperate to sign just six months ago and have shown little indication they are interested in Ziyech, a player who looks certain to be part of a Stamford Bridge fire-sale.
The Morocco international enjoyed a stellar World Cup campaign but has hardly featured under Potter despite Chelsea's recent struggles.
Speaking about Ziyech's situation earlier his month, Potter said: 'He's been a little bit away from the first XI but he's been involved in the games.
'He came on in the first game as a sub. We know his qualities, we like him as a player, he plays in between the lines ,has fantastic qualities which we saw at the World Cup.
'We can speak a lot but the chances are there are always good players who aren't in the starting XI you have to be patient.
'I'm delighted for him, I kept in touch with him over the World Cup. I'm delighted for him that he got the game time and helped his team.
'He's a good guy and he's got quality.'
Comments