Arsenal Transfer News: Djaoui Cisse Targeted as Alternative to Newcastle's Sandro Tonali
Ben McAleer
Arsenal are keeping tabs on young Rennes midfielder Djaoui Cisse, according to French publication MediaFoot.
The Gunners are expected to dip into the market to bolster in the middle of the park in the summer having been linked with a move for Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali earlier in the year.
The Premier League leaders weighed up a deadline day pursuit of the Italian following injury to Mikel Merino, though a transfer failed to materialise.
Cisse a Tonali alternative?
Arsenal, though, are expected to return for Tonali at the end of the season, but with ample competition in the race for the Magpies star, the capital outfit could turn their attention to Cisse.
The 22-year-old is enjoying an impressive season for the French side having made 12 league starts and a further nine appearances off the bench.
However, Arsenal aren’t the only side reportedly monitoring Cisse, with fellow Premier League side Leeds also keeping tabs on the Frenchman.
Arsenal face competition for Rennes star
Additionally, German pair Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen have been credited with an interest in the box-to-box star.
Mikel Arteta’s side have also been linked with a summer push to land Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, who will be out of contract at the end of the campaign.
And while Arteta is keen to add winning experience to his side, Cisse would go some way to future proofing the club’s midfield.
Gunners drop points in title pursuit
Arsenal will hope to immediately bounce back from their 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon when they return to Champions League action in midweek.
Arteta has now overseen three defeats from the last four as Arsenal followed up their 2-0 EFL Cup final loss to Manchester City with a 2-1 reverse at Southampton in the FA Cup last weekend.
Arsenal hold a slender advantage ahead of their quarter-final second leg meeting with Portuguese side Sporting CP in midweek and the north London outfit will look to book their semi-final spot when the Portuguese powerhouse make the trip to the Emirates on Wednesday night.
And Arsenal then return to league duties with a huge title showdown with City at the Etihad Stadium next weekend.
The title contenders sit nine points clear of City at the top of the table, but Pep Guardiola’s side have two games in hand on Arsenal heading into Sunday’s game against Chelsea.
