Sunderland reportedly have placed Rennes midfielder Djaoui Cissé on their transfer shortlist, who has changed agents following the summer transfer window.
Sunderland are reportedly eyeing a 2027 transfer move for Rennes midfielder Djaoui Cissé, who has recently changed agencies following the summer transfer window, to a company who represent some key Black Cats names.
Sam Cohen of GIVEMESPORT reports that 22-year-old Cissé is on Sunderland's transfer radar ahead of 2027, with Rennes' Ligue 1 rivals Strasbourg also interested, following his impressive breakthrough in the French top flight.
Last season, young central midfielder Cissé made 25 appearances for Rennes in all competitions to help his side to a sixth-place finish, after progressing through the club's youth ranks and penning his first professional contract with the club in February 2024.
Cissé has also showcased his prowess at international level, with four goals in just seven games for France's under-21 national side after making his national debut last year at the U-21 Euros last summer, in which his compatriots were beaten 3-0 by Germany in the semi-finals.
As a result, Cissé is highly regarded in French football and is viewed as one of the brightest young midfielders that Ligue 1 has to offer, and it is no surprise that Sunderland are continuing their record of French top flight talent spotting following the summer arrivals of Dayann Methalie from Toulouse and Malick Fofana from Lyon for almost £65m combined.
Interestingly, Sunderland seem to possess an unseen advantage in the prospective pursuit of Cissé's signature, as a result of his recent agency change.
Sunderland Names Represented By Cisse's New Agency Include Régis Le Bris
Cissé is poised to join football agency Sport Cover, who represent French international duo Marcus and Khephren Thuram, Aston Villa midfielder Boubacar Kamara, as well as a handful of Sunderland players, and Black Cats boss Régis Le Bris.
Sport Cover represent Sunderland number nine Brian Brobbey, who arrived at the Stadium of Light from Eredivisie giants Ajax last summer in a £21.6m deal and finished his debut campaign as the club's top goalscorer.
In addition to Brobbey, Sport Cover are also employed by Sunderland star Nordi Mukiele, who has established himself as arguably the Black Cats' best defender following his £12m signing from French champions Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
Nordi Mukiele in action for Sunderland vs Fulham on Sunday (Action Images via Reuters)Sunderland outcast Abdoullah Ba, who has been linked with a move to Turkey after his summer switch to League One Peterborough United fell through, is also represented by Sport Cover.
Therefore, with the agency and Sunderland enjoying a fruitful relationship over recent seasons, it stands to reason that the Black Cats could possess the advantage in a potential move for Rennes starlet Cissé next year.
Also, with Sunderland and Rennes holding a positive relationship following Eliezer Mayenda's £22m move earlier this summer, this is another benefit that the Black Cats have in their favour to beat Strasbourg or any other future suitor to the signing of Cisse.
Cissé remains under contract with the Ligue 1 outfit until 2030, meaning that Sunderland would have to shell out a sizeable fee for his signature, but the midfield prospect would certainly be an exciting addition and suit the Black Cats' recruitment model wonderfully.
