It's been the summer of Tottenham Hotspur so far. They've backed Roberto De Zerbi to the full extent, broke their transfer record twice, and welcomed as many as six new signings.
They've even managed to get one over on their Premier League rivals along the way and could do so once more after joining the race to sign Yasin Ayari alongside Liverpool.
Football FanCast's Verdict
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Ayari remains one of the best young midfielders in the Premier League and the amount of interest in his arrival should come as little surprise as a result.
Brighton scrambling to keep Ayari
This is not Brighton's first rodeo in the transfer market. They've already lost Jan Paul van Hecke to Spurs this summer and that follows several other names who have departed for huge profit. This time around, however, they're keen to keep hold of their rising prodigy.
According to Caught Offside, Brighton are scrambling to agree a new deal with Ayari amid concerns that Tottenham and Liverpool are planning 'aggressive' moves for the 22-year-old.
Sweden's Yasin Ayari
Ayari currently has just one year remaining on his current deal, which means that the Sussex club have just two more opportunities to cash in if they fail to agree a new contract.
Ayari can become Iraola's new Alex Scott at Liverpool
There's a lot of work for Liverpool to do this summer. Whilst their priority is still a replacement for Mohamed Salah, whether it's Yan Diomande, Bradley Barcola or another option that arrives, they've also got a midfield problem to solve.
Andoni Iraola requires the intensity that the Reds have lacked in the middle of the park over the last 12 months and handing the Spaniard his new version of Alex Scott will be crucial to any success. That's where Ayari could come in.
PL 25/26 P90 Ayari Scott
Minutes 1,924 2,859
Goals (total) 3 3
Chances created 0.7 0.85
Recoveries 5.8 6.14
Successful dribbles 0.84 0.91
Both midfielders have an eye for goal and both, more crucially, have the ability to progress play into the final third through their passing range and dribbling. If Iraola is to succeed, those traits will be must-haves in the middle of the park.
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