Liverpool are thought to have seized the initiative from Arsenal in the race to land Brighton star Yves Bissouma. 

Malian midfielder Bissouma, 24, has caught the eye with a string of impressive displays in the Seagulls’ midfield this term, leaving several leading Premier League sides chasing his signature. 

It had previously been reported that Gunners boss Mikel Arteta viewed him as an ideal partner for Thomas Partey — but the Daily Mail say that is no longer the case. 

With interested in Bissouma supposedly cooling in North London, the door is open for Liverpool to make their move for the £40 million-rated powerhouse and add a youthful exuberance to their options the middle of the park. 

Jurgen Klopp’s Reds secured Champions League football on the last day of the season after five straight wins and the prospect of taking on Europe’s elite is sure to appeal to the Brighton man. 

PSG wish for Gini

One man who won’t be lining up in Liverpool’s midfield next season is departing Dutch international Gini Wijnaldum — with Paris Saint-Germain now in the race to sign him. 

Wijnaldum, 30, has been a mainstay in Klopp’s first-choice XI for several years but his future has long seemed destined to lie away from Anfield after a string of failed contract talks between player and club over recent months. 

After Sunday’s final game of the campaign against Crystal Palace, the German boss confirmed that Wijnaldum would indeed depart Merseyside on a free transfer but didn’t indicate where he may be headed. 

It has long been thought that Wijnaldum would link up with his former Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman at Barcelona but, with no deal yet signed, the Parisian giants are now considering a move for the 73-cap international according to French outlet Le10Sport.

In other news

Arsenal will start talks with Real Madrid about the future of on-loan midfielder Martin Odegaard, 22, in the next few weeks, according to The Sun. 

Spanish outlet Sport believe Barcelona lead the race for Atalanta full-back Robin Gosens, 26, who has also caught the eye of Manchester City and several of his club’s domestic rivals in Italy. 

Goal report that Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata is unsure whether or not he will remain at Old Trafford beyond this season after his current contract expires next month.

Tammy Abraham's £40m asking price could be slashed by as much as 25% as the Blues look to lighten their top-heavy squad this summer, say the Daily Star.