Arsenal and Liverpool to enter bidding war for giant 6ft 6ins Olympiacos defender

Both clubs are joined by Everton in the race to sign Senegalese defender Pape Abou Cisse in January after his impressive European displays for the Greek champions

Posted Sunday, October 10, 2021 by Dailystar.co.uk

Arsenal and Liverpool are set to enter into a bidding war for Olympiacos' 6ft 6ins Senegalese central defender Pape Abou Cisse when the January transfer window opens.

Rafael Benitez's Everton are also understood to have an interest in the 26-year-old and all three clubs sent scouts to watch him in a recent Europa League clash with Fenerbahce, report SunSport.

There is reported interest from across Europe with Italian side Torino also being linked with a move, as well as Ligue 1 outfit Saint Etienne, where Cisse spent six months on loan last season.

Wolves were also rumoured to be interested in his services back in 2019.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton are all reportedly interested in Olympiacos' Pape Abou Cisse

Cisse has been an ever-present for Olympiacos so far this term, scoring two goals and keeping seven clean sheets in his 13 appearances.

In total he has made 105 appearances for the club since he arrived from French side Ajaccio back in 2017.

His stock has continued to rise following a string of impressive performances in the Champions League and Europa League against opponents including Manchester City, AC Milan and Porto.

He also scored the opening goal when Olympiacos knocked Arsenal out of the Europa League at the round of 32 stage during the 2019/20 season.

His connections with Arsenal do not stop there either, as he has formed a solid partnership this season with former Gunners defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

Olympiacos are currently third in the Greek Super League after five matches and are yet to taste defeat domestically.

It is understood that potential suitors would only be required to pay around £8.5million for Cisse at present, but his price is expected to rise if multiple clubs come in for him.

With interest in Cisse only likely to increase as the January window approaches, Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton may choose to move early in order to avoid missing out on him.