Liverpool are reportedly leading the race for the signing of Olympiacos defender Pape Abou Cisse, who is also a target for Arsenal and Everton.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, Liverpool are interested in signing Olympiacos’ Senegalese centre-back Pape Abou Cisse. The 26-year-old is also on the radars of Arsenal and Everton, but they are trailing the Reds in pursuit of the defender.
Cisse started out at Senegalese club AS Pikine before arriving in Europe in 2015 when he signed for AC Ajaccio. Two years later he moved to Greek giants Olympiacos and has been a regular presence in the side, although he has had a couple of loan stints away from the club.
Indeed, Cisse spent the second half of the last season with French club AS Saint Etienne where he impressed and as a result, has become a permanent fixture at Olympiacos in the current season. The 26-year-old has featured 13 times in all competitions for the Greek outfit, scoring two goals as well.
Cisse, owing to his performances for Olympiacos, has earned a number of admirers from England in the form of Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool. The report claims that all three clubs had scouts present for the Champions League clash between Olympiacos and Fenerbahce as Cisse impressed, helping his team to a clean sheet.
Arsenal strengthened their defence last summer with the signing of Ben White from Brighton & Hove Albion. The England international has done well since arriving, but more reinforcements could be needed given as both Rob Holding and Calum Chambers do not seem to be enjoying much favour under Mikel Arteta. To that end, Cisse would be a viable target for the Gunners.
As for Everton, the Toffees are in the market for a new centre-half amid question marks over the future of Yerry Mina, who has been linked with a move to Italy. Harry Souttar of Stoke City has emerged as a transfer target for Rafael Benitez’s side, but they seem to be keeping their options open, with Cisse also now on Everton’s radar.
However, the report adds that it is Liverpool that are leading the race for the signing of the four-time capped Senegalese international. The Reds also bolstered their defence earlier this year with Ibrahima Konate arriving from RB Leipzig. The Reds have Joel Matip, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk and Nat Phillips as options, while young Rhys Williams will also be at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal when he returns from loan.
However, it must be noted that both Matip and van Dijk have entered into their thirties. So, it would be a smart move by Klopp & co. to start preparing for the future and refresh the squad that does have a number of ageing players. Cisse, who shares a dressing room with Liverpool star Sadio Mane for the Senegalese national team, would thus be an intriguing option for the Merseysiders.
Liverpool are said to have made multiple enquiries for the 26-year-old, whose contract with Olympiacos runs till 2024. It now remains to be seen if the Reds do convert their interest into a formal bid and sign Cisse.
