Fulham and Benfica battle for free-agent midfielder Yves Bissouma

Fulham are facing growing competition for the signature of former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma, with Benfica emerging as serious contenders after making their first move for the free agent.

The Mali international became available this summer following the expiry of his contract at Tottenham, attracting interest from clubs across Europe. While Fulham are weighing up a move, Benfica have already opened discussions with the 29-year-old over a potential switch to Portugal.

Adding another layer to the story is the presence of Marco Silva, who only left Craven Cottage earlier this summer to become Benfica's new head coach.

According to reports in Portugal, Benfica have already held initial talks with Bissouma, with negotiations progressing following the club's opening approach.

Silva is believed to be keen to strengthen his midfield with proven experience after Benfica missed out on other transfer targets. Having spent years managing in the Premier League, the Portuguese coach is well aware of Bissouma's qualities from the midfielder's spells at Brighton and Tottenham.

Landing a player of Bissouma's calibre without paying a transfer fee would represent a significant opportunity for the Portuguese champions as they prepare for another campaign in domestic and European competition.

Fulham's interest is also understandable given Bissouma's extensive Premier League experience.

The midfielder has spent the past eight seasons in England after initially joining Brighton from Lille before earning a move to Tottenham in 2022. His ability to operate as both a defensive midfielder and a box-to-box presence makes him an attractive option for clubs seeking experience without a transfer fee.

However, Benfica's early progress in negotiations could leave Fulham playing catch-up if they decide to formalise their interest.

With other English clubs also monitoring the situation, Bissouma is unlikely to remain a free agent for long, and his next destination could depend on which project he believes offers the strongest opportunity at this stage of his career.

Benfica are expected to continue negotiations after making the first move, while Fulham must decide whether to submit a formal proposal. With no transfer fee required, interest in Bissouma is likely to increase over the coming weeks, meaning a decision on his future could arrive sooner rather than later.

Would Yves Bissouma be the right addition for Fulham, or should Marco Silva convince him to begin a new chapter with Benfica?