Leeds United are tracking Rennes midfielder Djaoui Cissé, but Bayer Leverkusen have already made the first concrete move for the 22-year-old.
Leeds are among a number of Premier League clubs monitoring Cissé, according to AfricaFoot, but it is Leverkusen who have set the early pace with a reported €20m (£17m) offer.
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The Bundesliga side’s intent sharpens the situation immediately. This is not a case of Leeds scrambling for midfield numbers. It’s about whether they act quickly enough to secure a player who fits a specific profile.
Leeds already have midfield depth, but Cisse’s profile matters
Daniel Farke is not short of central options. Ethan Ampadu, Sean Longstaff, Anton Stach, Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev have all played significant minutes this season, with each trusted across different roles.
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Longstaff has started 18 league games with a further eight appearances from the bench, while injured ace Stach has been a near ever-present with 26 starts. Tanaka and Gruev have also been heavily involved.
That makes this pursuit different. Cissé would not be arriving to fill a gap. He would be arriving to raise the ceiling. This is a player with huge potential, starring in Ligue 1 for Rennes during 2025-26.
What Cissé actually offers based on real numbers
On the surface, Cissé’s output looks modest. He has no goals and no assists in Ligue 1 this season. But the underlying numbers tell a far more relevant story.
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He has made 21 league appearances, logging around 950 minutes, and contributed 12 chances created. That alone places him as an active presence in possession rather than a passive one.
Out of possession, the numbers stand out more. Cissé has recorded 51 ball recoveries and 31 tackles, showing consistent involvement in regaining possession and breaking up play. His pass completion sits at 80.8 percent, pointing to a player who keeps things moving cleanly.
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This is not a final-third midfielder. It is a two-way, transitional profile.
That view is backed up by those who work with him. Rennes assistant coach Sébastien Bichard has said Cissé “has a great feel for the game” and “knows how to recognise the problems in a match”.
Club descriptions also highlight his intelligence, team-first approach and technical control. In simple terms, he reads the game, wins the ball and uses it efficiently. That is a clear, defined role.
Leverkusen’s move for Cissé changes the situation for Leeds
AfricaFoot report that Leverkusen have already made an offer worth €20 million, with Cissé valued between €15 million and €20 million. Leeds, along with West Ham and others, are interested.
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That distinction matters. Leverkusen have moved first. Arsenal, Newcastle and Aston Villa are also said to be interested in signing the France U21 international this summer.
Cissé is also under contract at Rennes until 2030, which strengthens the French club’s position and suggests any deal will sit firmly within that valuation range.
There is also a Leeds-specific link. Cissé is currently a teammate of former Leeds midfielder Glen Kamara at Rennes, offering a familiar reference point for supporters assessing his role and function.
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