Tottenham are close to completing their fourth transfer of the summer, with the window being open less than a week so far. Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster both signed two-year deals before the window opened, joining the club on free transfers.
Spurs have also signed 19-year-old goalkeeper Josh Keeley and seem close to completing the signing of Yves Bissouma. On Tuesday, football.london reported that there had been a £25million agreement for the current Brighton player and the Mali international is expected to undergo his medical at Hotspur Way on Thursday.
Antonio Conte wanted and needed backing this summer, in order to strengthen his Spurs squad and prepare them for a big 2022/23 campaign. Completing transfer business early in the window will only help Tottenham and mean they can be one step closer to having their confirmed squad, once their tough pre-season comes around.
READ MORE: Tottenham edge closer to £25m Yves Bissouma transfer amid further talks
Just last season Bissouma showed his quality in both Premier League fixtures against Spurs, which ended in one loss and a victory. After the Lilywhites were beaten 1-0 by Graham Potter's side, the Seagulls boss picked out the 25-year-old as one of the star performers.
"Tactically Yves was really good...His high-end actions are Champions League level. I think you saw the full array of his quality," the 47-year-old admitted.
Bissouma could make the move to Spurs and hope to slot in to Conte's current midfield. There is set to be competition in the middle next season, with Oliver Skipp's expected return from injury.
Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre Emile Hojbjerg had been creating a solid partnership in midfield, especially on the back end of the season. Harry Winks was the Italian's only other midfield option, but he struggled to get regular game time and an exit this summer seems most likely for the Englishman.
This means that if Bissouma completes his move to Tottenham, he will have to compete for his spot in the regular line-up, along with any other midfielders who may make the move this summer. However the Lilywhites will have their usual Premier League matches, along with cup competitions and European football to juggle, meaning rotations are expected.
On the whole, Conte's midfield did well last season and just like in various positions, improvements were seen in the final stretch of the campaign. At the start of the season, creativity was a real issue.
Although this improved as the campaign went on, Spurs could arguably still benefit from another attacking midfielder and, more importantly someone who can provide more creativity. This is something Mousa Dembele brought to the Tottenham squad during his seven years at the club.
Dembele was a fan favourite, providing skill, calmness on the ball and creativity to the Spurs side. Since his departure, many have argued that the Lilywhites haven't been able to replace the Belgian in the team, but could Bissouma be that player?
The 25-year-old is similar to Dembele in some ways - with his physical presence, as well as being technically sound and his ability to move the ball quickly between the defence and attack. Although the Mali international may not be branded as an attacking midfielder, he could bring beneficial qualities which could strengthen Conte's midfield.
Having someone who can make a link between the Tottenham defence and attack will help support both areas of the field, hopefully strengthening the Italian's squad. Ex-Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson also gave his verdict of his former side's potential new signing.
"Bissouma is someone I like a lot. He is a brilliant player. He is box-to-box, tenacious midfielder who Conte would like," the 42-year-old told Football Insider.
"If Spurs are to progress, Bissouma is the type of player they need. You would get excited if he came into the squad."
The Mali international is someone who received a lot of praise, especially in the second half of last season and it was deserved, for the performances he was producing for Brighton. Now it is Tottenham's job to secure the deal and continue building a team that can compete for silverware and climb the table next season.