Tottenham and Arsenal in the race to sign highly rated French sensation

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Shrishh Attavar | Last updated Oct 19, 2025 6:18 PM ET

Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal are among the clubs monitoring Djylian N’Guessan

Arsenal and Chelsea now enter the race and continue to keep tabs on Saint Ettienne’s Djylian N’Guessan. The 17-year-old striker has remained a subject of close monitoring with scouts from Tottenham keeping an eye out for the talent. A highly versatile forward, he can slot in anywhere across the frontline.

Whether that be playing out wide on either flank, or his primary position of a pure #9. According to Caught Offside, Brighton, Brentford, and Watford also sent scouts to monitor the player’s development.

N’Guessan has garnered attention through his performances in Ligue 2 and for France’s under-20 national team, where his physicality and intelligence have marked him as a standout. At 1.80 metres tall, he excels in aerial duels and off-ball movement and is a calm and composed customer in front of goal too.

A player with immense potential

He made his first-team debut not too long ago, coming in off the bench as a substitute in a 3-1 Ligue 1 victory over Stade de Reims earlier this year in January. In the 2024-25 season, he contributed four goals for Frances under-17 team at the UEFA European Championship as well, playing a huge part in taking his team to the finals of that competition.

This season N’Guessan has yet to register senior goals or assists in limited appearances, reflecting his youth and the clubs protective strategy. Tottenham have compiled detailed scouting dossiers for their technical staff, positioning them favourably in the race, though Arsenal’s involvement signals a potential North London derby in the transfer market. Career stats reflect a total of 10 goals in 29 club appearances across all competitions.

Challenges persist, as Saint-Etienne regard N’Guessan as a cornerstone for future promotion to Ligue 1 and are unwilling to expedite a sale. Their valuation, potentially exceeding €20m is 10x his valuation as per Transfermarkt. It will come across as a huge surprise if Spurs actually remain willing to match the French club’s valuation, especially considering he’s yet to net, despite his tremendous potential.

A serious bid would surely surprise, considering Spurs prioritise proven forwards to complement Solanke, yet the interest from rivals like Arsenal and Chelsea underscores N’Guessan’s allure. This widespread attention from clubs across England highlights his potential, but we have to tread carefully because his numbers do not justify the potential investment.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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