Yves Bissouma has quickly become Tottenham's forgotten midfield star, just months after he produced a superb performance in the Europa League final.
While the Mali international played a key role down the stretch in Europe for an Ange Postecoglou-led side that finally embraced their pragmatic side, there was a sense that the time was right for Bissouma to move on in the summer.
The former Brighton star can be a wonderful, game-breaking midfielder on his day, and his form during those first ten games of Postecoglou's reign thrust him into lofty conversations. However, injuries have chipped away, with the concept of consistency failing to stick in Bissouma's arsenal.
Stellar performances were often undermined by sequences and moments of madness, but he did string a run of excellent displays together at the base of Ange's midfield to help Spurs to their first piece of major silverware since 2008.
Tottenham do not want to lose Yves Bissouma for nothing in 2026
Thomas Frank has seemingly never taken to Bissouma, with the club attempting to get rid in the summer. However, their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, with the Mali midfielder remaining on the club's books for 2025/26.
Bissouma's yet to play a competitive minute for Frank, and he's now out of action due to an ankle injury sustained in October, which may compromise Spurs' abillity to sell the 29-year-old in January.
So, the club are hatching a plan. According to the Daily Mail, Spurs will trigger the one-year extension in Bissouma's contract if they're unable to sell him this winter, thus ensuring he won't leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.
While Frank opened the door for reintegration back in September, I'd be surprised if we ever see the 29-year-old in a Spurs shirt again, unless there's an injury crisis in midfield. Remember when Sergio Reguilon got minutes at one point last season? No, that wasn't a fever dream.
Fulham are among the potential suitors, and interested clubs will want to take advantage of Bissouma's current status in Frank's squad and his contract situation. If the club are able to sanction a sale, I expect it to be for a small fee, but they would at least be saving plenty in wages by facilitating his departure at the next given opportunity.
Ironically, there have been plenty of times already this season when Bissouma's ability to evade pressure and open the game up has been sorely missed, but I understand why Frank has opted to go down a different route in midfield.
He'll always have Bilbao.