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Emma de Duve

How Harry Winks can help Yves Bissouma secure dream shirt number at Tottenham as move confirmed

Yves Bissouma's move to Tottenham is complete, with the Mali international's medical at Hotspur Way taking place on Thursday before signing a four-year deal on Friday. This comes after football.london reported a fee had been agreed to sign the 25-year-old, on Monday.

Antonio Conte has already started shaping his squad, with the arrivals of Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster and Josh Keeley. The Croatian will help to add depth to his side, whilst Forster will act a strong back-up to Hugo Lloris.

However, there is more work to be done, with Fabio Paratici and the Spurs boss having a long list of targets who could make the move to north London. This will hopefully increase the level of Conte's side and help them climb the table and win some much-needed silverware next season.

READ MORE: Daniel Levy and Fabio Paratici praised for beating Arsenal to 'fantastic' Yves Bissouma signing

Bissouma's move to Tottenham is a solid signing. The 25-year-old has been praised by Graham Potter and produced two great displays against Spurs last season.

Conte had four options in the central midfield positions: Pierre Emile Hojbjerg, Rodrigo Bentancur, Oliver Skipp and Harry Winks. The former two were the regular starters at the back end of last season, as Skipp was out injured and the Winks hadn't impressed enough to move up the pecking order.

Skipp will hopefully be returning ahead of the tough pre-season that is expected. Tottenham could also have another duo battling for the central midfield spots, with Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso's return from their loan spells.

However, it is seeming more than likely that both will close their Spurs chapters this summer. This is likely to be the same case for Winks, with reported interest already from Everton.

The 26-year-old has come through the Tottenham academy to break into the first team. Winks has had some great times at Spurs and last year admitted his love for the club.

However, in the same admission, he explained that he wants to be playing regular football, something he didn't get under Conte. The midfielder made just 19 Premier League appearances during the 2021/22 campaign, starting in just nine of those games.

"Listen, I love Tottenham, I’ve always made that clear, but I want to play football. And I want to play regular football," he said in October.

At this stage of his career, it would seem best for both parties if Winks moved on. This could also be a boost for Bissouma after his completed move.

Not only would this mean less competition for the 25-year-old to try and break into Conte's regular starting lineup, it would also free up the No.8 shirt. Winks currently wears the eight for Spurs, and Bissouma wore it for Brighton.

The Mali international did not have a shirt number revealed at his unveiling, and would most likely be able to claim the shirt number he has been used to in the south. Perisic's shirt number also hasn't been confirmed yet, as the Croatian is waiting to see if either Joe Rodon (No.14) or Dane Scarlett (No.44) move on, so he can claim their numbers.

A shirt number is clearly important to some footballers, and Winks' move away from Tottenham may not only be the best solution for the 26-year-old and the club, but also for Bissouma.

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