West Ham United are reportedly ‘preparing’ a bid for Rennes midfielder Djaoui Cisse but Nuno Espirito Santo can expect plenty of competition from many a Premier League rival.
It was alleged earlier this week that the Hammers remain keen on Barcelona youngster Marc Casado, having failed with an approach in the summer of 2025.
Djaoui Cisse is another who was linked a year ago, and now seemingly finds himself back on the West Ham United shopping list.
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Africa Foot – the publication who were the first to report that West Ham were keen on Tochukwu Nnadi before they interviewed Metz’s Alpha Toure about a potential switch to East London – are claiming that a bid is on the cards as the summer window looms into view.
West Ham United linked again with Rennes’ Djaoui Cisse
Africa Foot report that West Ham and Leeds are both ‘preparing transfer offers’ for the France Under-21 international. Bayer Leverkusen have already made a bid of £17 million, with the Bundesliga giants understandably leading the chase as things stand.
The lure of the Premier League may prove to be the biggest obstacle standing in Leverkusen’s path, however.
Djaoui Cisse with the Man of the Match award after Denmark v France - UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2025 Quarter-Final
Photo by Boris Streubel – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Interestingly, it is claimed that West Ham failed with a £22.8 million bid for Cisse last August. That rejection saw the Hammers turn their attention to Monaco’s Soungoutou Magassa.
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Still only 22, Cisse has since signed a new contract at Stade Rennais. The Brittany-based outfit are therefore in a stronger negotiating position now than they were a year ago.
Cisse, who has Malian heritage but represents the country of his birth at youth level, was one of the breakout stars at the Under-21 European Championships in 2025.
Cisse links may cast doubt on Soungoutou Magassa
He scored a series of outstanding goals during the tournament. Therefore, it is even more surprising that Cisse has not scored even once in 22 appearances for Rennes in 2025/26.
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Soungoutou Magassa of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Fulham at London Stadium on December 27, 2025 in London, England.
Claims of West Ham’s renewed interest come at a time when Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa have slipped down the pecking order. Magassa, in particular, is no closer to commanding a regular starting berth with his performances inconsistent at best.
Therefore, there is a good chance that a new midfielder will be high on West Ham’s wishlist should they remain a Premier League team.
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