Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast defender Arsène Kouassi of FC Lorient is being linked with a move to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, with the 22-year-old left-back reportedly emerging as a target ahead of the summer window.
Kouassi, who is valued at €15.00m on Transfermarkt, is currently under contract at Lorient but with no public expiry date listed, speculation has grown that the French club could be vulnerable to bids – or risk losing a key asset for nothing should his deal run down and free agent scenarios loom in future windows. The latest rumour, logged on 25 June 2026, lists the probability of a transfer as “?”, underlining how early-stage and uncertain the talks remain.
Born in Cocody on 2 January 2004, Kouassi stands at 1.78m and plays primarily as a left-back, operating on his favoured left foot. He wears the number 43 shirt at Lorient and has developed into one of the more eye-catching young defenders in Ligue 1, attracting interest from data-led recruitment models across Europe.
The dual-national defender, who holds both Burkina Faso and Ivorian nationalities, has been part of Lorient’s set-up in France’s top flight, Ligue 1. Recent league outings – including a tightly-contested fixture for Lorient earlier this year in which he featured in a narrow defeat, impressing with his defensive work and energy down the flank – have only strengthened the perception that he is ready for a step up in competition.
No fee or contract details with Leverkusen have yet been agreed, and there is no indication that Lorient have sanctioned a sale. But with his market value rising and his profile growing, a move to the Bundesliga could represent a significant next step in Kouassi’s career if the deal progresses, potentially defining his reputation as one of the leading young full-backs in European football.
