Irrespective of whether this season yields success or not, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are looking towards the summer transfer window to bolster their ranks – and Stade Rennais midfielder Djaoui Cisse is reportedly of interest.
As things stand, the Gunners’ quadruple hunt has been halved on the back of their loss in the Carabao Cup final and losing their FA Cup quarter-final to Championship outfit Southampton.
That said, winning the Premier League – despite their recent 2-1 loss to Bournemouth – and the Champions League is still on the cards.
Silverware aside, the Gunners are looking to strengthen their ranks and the engine room has been identified as a position in need of more bodies.
Arsenal enter race for Djaoui Cisse amid interest from Leeds United
Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi have established themselves as one of the Premier League’s elite midfield pairings but Arteta needs depth beyond the Englishman and Spaniard.
Could France Under-21 international Cisse be the antidote?
The capital club – according to MediaFoot – are reportedly among those interested in the 22-year-old, who has a keen admirer in Arteta due to his technical ability and playing style.
Arsenal are not alone, however, in their admiration as Bundesliga duo Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen are two clubs who are keeping tabs on the 2004-born central midfielder,
To date, the youngster is enjoying a brilliant campaign in France, having made 12 league starts and a further nine outings off the bench.
Leeds United, too, are monitoring the Frenchman’s situation ahead of the summer transfer market opening.
What could prevent would-be buyers from getting their hands on the gifted box-to-box midfielder is the fact that he is under contract until the summer of 2030 after putting pen to paper on a five-year deal in September 2025.
His former teammate Lorenz Assignon waxed poetic about Djaoui Cisse when speaking to Ligue 1. “You always see Rennes producing top young players,” the now-Stuttgart star said.
“It just takes the right moment and the right coach. Djaoui has been working relentlessly, and now he’s reaping the rewards.”
Why signing Djaoui Cisse would be a smart move for Arsenal
Although Rice and Zubimendi are both brilliant footballers, the lack of options behind them in the pecking order – especially on the back of Mikel Merino’s injury – are sparse and adding new faces will be welcomed.
Cisse, because of his low profile, would cost far less than someone of Sandro Tonali’s ilk.
The Newcastle United star is reportedly on the radar of many top Premier League clubs (the Gunners included) but he is expected to cost a pretty penny.
With someone like Djaoui Cisse, Arteta’s side will get their hands on someone for the future. Far from the finished article, Cisse – born in Juvisy-sur-Orge – would form the spine of a very solid midfielder moving forward.
Maybe it would be a move too soon for the midfielder, who can operate in the No.8 or No.6 role but, for the right price, it would be a steal.
