Who is Michael Cuisance? Leeds United 'closing in' on midfielder likened to Arsenal star

Here is everything you need to know about the 21-year-old, with latest reports suggesting the Whites are in advanced talks with the Frenchman:

What’s his background?

Cuisance was on the books at the likes of Strasbourg and Nancy before swapping his native France for German side Borussia Monchengladbach, aged just 17 in May 2017.

He went onto play 24 times in the Bundesliga during his debut season - becoming the club’s youngest-ever player to start a league match at the age of 18 years and 45 days.

His eye-catching performances saw him voted the fans’ Player of the Season and it wasn’t long before Bayern Munich came knocking.

Cuisance has represented France from U16s to U20s level. He scored two goals and provided one assist as Les Bleus reached the last 16 of the U20 World Cup in 2019.

Having joined Bayern in the same summer, Cuisance has since appeared 11 times and been a part of the squad that won the Bundesliga, German Cup, Champions League and UEFA Super Cup.

What type of player is he?

According to the Bundesliga’s official website, the midfielder operates a bit like Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil.

Their description reads: “Cuisance operates in a slightly deeper central midfield role to that which 2014 FIFA World Cup winner Mesut Özil is best known for, but there’s no escaping the similarities.

“The Frenchman has a wand of a left foot, is a veritable bag of tricks and for a good chunk of 2017/18 was Gladbach’s go-to guy from set plays.”

What’s been said about him in the past?

Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said after signing the player last year: "Michael's strengths are in his possession of the football. He has a great technique, a strong left foot and a great mentality."

Former Gladbach coach Dieter Hecking described Cuisance as a “game changer” and an exceptional player for his age.