Aston Villa are prepared to wait until the summer to sign one of their preferred midfield targets, says The Athletic's Gregg Evans.
The Villans are currently being linked with a move for Brighton's Yves Bissouma but may find it difficult to get him out of the Amex this month. They have at least managed to swiftly complete a £25m deal for full-back Lucas Digne, beating off competition from other Premier League sides.
What is the latest news involving Villa's search for a new midfielder?
According to Sky Sports, Villa are interested in signing Bissouma as he enters the final 18 months of his contract.
Brighton manager Graham Potter, though, has practically ruled out any of his key players leaving in this transfer window.
"We're not a selling club at all, we don't have to sell anybody. But you never know in this world, so you have to be a little bit aware of that," the 46-year-old recently told the MailOnline and other outlets. "I'd expect all of our players to be with us [at the end of the window]."
Bissouma is also currently out of the country after being called up to the Mali national team for the Africa Cup of Nations, so that could also complicate things for Villa or any other interested party.
What has Evans said about Villa's pursuit of a new midfielder?
If Villa fail to sign one of their preferred midfield targets this month, with Bissouma seemingly one of them, Evans expects Steven Gerrard and Johan Lange to wait until the summer rather than panic buy now.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, The Athletic journalist said: "I'm told that if they can't get one of their preferred targets, then they're prepared to wait until the summer, so that's an interesting one. We'll see how that unfolds."
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Is Bissouma worth the wait?
Without a doubt. The 25-year-old has been one of the best midfielders outside of the top six for a while now. And he has shown as much this season with some truly excellent performances.
His last outing against Everton was particularly notable. Bissouma finished that game with a WhoScored rating of 8.03, the third-highest score in his team, as he helped Brighton to a 3-2 win at Goodison Park.
On the day, the Mali international made an impressive seven tackles, with no one on the pitch managing more. He also completed two dribbles, which was only bettered by Neal Maupay in his team (5), showing that he can also carry the ball.
Villa may indeed have to wait until the summer to sign Bissouma, but being patient could well and truly pay off.