Why Crystal Palace and West Ham want Inter defender Bisseck

Crystal Palace have recently seen a bid for defender Yann Bisseck turned down by Inter, while West Ham United also remain interested, but what makes the one-time Germany international an enticing option for the Premier League sides?

Palace and West Ham have both had bids for Bisseck turned down by Inter this summer. Reports claim that West Ham came in with a €20m offer earlier this transfer window, while Palace have seen their €32m proposal turned down on Wednesday, according to the latest updates.

Inter, meanwhile, are standing firm on their valuation of €40m for the 24-year-old defender, who joined the club for a fee of €7m paid in two instalments two years ago.

Who is Inter defender Bisseck, linked with Crystal Palace and West Ham?

Yann Aurel Bisseck signs a new contract with Inter until the summer of 2029 (picture via www.inter.it)

Bisseck is a towering 6’5 centre-back who came through the youth ranks of his local 1.FC Köln, although his opportunities in the Effzeh first-team were limited as a youngster.

After a series of loan moves at the beginning of his career, the then-21-year-old Bisseck joined Danish side AGF on an initial loan move, before joining on a permanent basis in 2022.

His performances that season drew the attention of Inter, who decided to activate his €7m release clause in the summer of 2023.

The German was largely used as an understudy during his first season in San Siro, backing up the likes of Alessandro Bastoni, Benjamin Pavard and Francesco Acerbi. Still, he knocked up 21 first-team appearances during his first season, including three in the Champions League.

The 2024-25 season saw the German become more of a regular in terms of starting opportunities. He would go on to make 27 appearances in Serie A, 13 in the Champions League, four in the Coppa Italia and both matches of Inter’s Supercoppa Italiana campaign.

His Champions League campaign last season included starts and clean sheets in a 0-0 draw with Manchester City and a 1-0 win over Arsenal, starts in both legs of the memorable 7-6 aggregate victory over the Lamine Yamal-inspired Barcelona in the semi-final, but just nine minutes at the end of the 5-0 hammering by PSG in the final.

Why Crystal Palace and West Ham make sense for Bisseck

CRAWLEY, ENGLAND – JULY 25: Crystal Palace Manager Oliver Glasner looks on ahead of the pre-season friendly match between Crawley Town and Crystal Palace at Broadfield Stadium on July 25, 2025 in Crawley, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Having spent the last two years as a centre-back under Simone Inzaghi, prior to the coach joining Al-Hilal this summer, Bisseck has become somewhat of a back-three specialist.

While the three-at-the back is not currently the most popular system in the Premier League, both Palace and West Ham were two of the only sides to regularly deploy that shape under Oliver Glasner and Graham Potter respectively.

Bisseck has covered in all three centre-back roles during his time at Inter, but has most regularly been deployed on the right-hand-side.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Jack Grealish of Manchester City is challenged by Yann Aurel Bisseck of FC Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester City and FC Internazionale Milano at City of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

His age (24), physicality and ball-playing attributes make him an appealing option for Premier League sides, and his price tag of €40m is not particularly excessive by the recent levels of spending across the division.

Financially, Inter would receive a significant profit on Bisseck – likely over €30m in a two-year period – if they were to receive the €40m price tag they have reportedly quoted.