Who is Arnaud Kalimuendo? Tottenham’s new striker transfer target by the numbers
Tottenham Hotspur appear to have set their sights on a Ligue 1 talent this summer, with Arnaud Kalimuendo emerging as a serious target. Who exactly is the Rennes forward now on Spurs’ radar? Let us take a closer look.
Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for Arnaud Kalimuendo this summer, with reports stating that Spurs are set to enter into discussions with Rennes over a potential transfer for the centre-forward.
No official bid has been lodged yet, with fresh claims suggesting Tottenham are instead prioritising initial talks with Rennes before submitting any formal proposal.
Spurs fans have already given their opinion on Kalimuendo, with many Tottenham supporters calling on the north London club to push through a deal for the 23-year-old ahead of the new campaign.
But who exactly is Arnaud Kalimuendo, and why are Tottenham Hotspur fans excited about a possible move to N17? Let us meet the Rennes striker.
Who is Tottenham target Arnaud Kalimuendo?
Arnaud Kalimuendo is a 23-year-old French striker who currently plies his trade with Ligue 1 side Rennes.
Born on 20 January 2002 in Suresnes, France, Kalimuendo began his football journey at FC Saint Cloud before being snapped up by Paris Saint-Germain in 2012.
At PSG, he quickly caught the eye in the youth ranks, turning out for the under-19s in the UEFA Youth League under the guidance of Thiago Motta.
By the age of 16, he had already become a standout performer, and on 8 July 2019, he signed his first professional contract with the French giants. A little over a year later, he made his senior debut for PSG in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Lens.
Following his debut, Kalimuendo extended his deal with PSG until 2024 and was immediately loaned to Lens for the 2020/21 campaign. He got off the mark in a win over Dijon, and by December that year, he had etched his name into Lens’ history books by becoming the first player in 70 years to score in his first three Ligue 1 starts for the club.
After returning to PSG briefly, he was loaned back to Lens for the 2021/22 season, where he continued his fine form with a brace against Reims. In total, he scored 21 goals across 65 appearances in his two seasons with the club. On 11 August 2022, Kalimuendo sealed a permanent switch to Rennes.
Kalimuendo’s international career
Kalimuendo is a France international player, after representing France at multiple youth levels, with one of his standout moments coming during the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil.
In the third-place play-off, he bagged a superb hat-trick against the Netherlands to help Les Bleus clinch bronze.
In May 2021, the forward earned a call-up to the French Under-21 side for the European Championship, drafted in as a late replacement for Randal Kolo Muani, who was required to feature in relegation play-offs with Nantes.
Despite not yet making a breakthrough into the senior France squad, Kalimuendo remains firmly in the conversation as a future international, particularly if he continues to impress in Ligue 1.
Arnaud Kalimuendo career stats across club competitions
Since turning professional, Kalimuendo has built a strong CV across the French top flight and PSG’s youth teams. His goal return has been solid, particularly during his spells at Lens and Rennes.
In total, Kalimuendo has racked up an impressive 101 goals and 25 assists in 221 appearances.
Kalimuendo stats by club:
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rennes | 112 | 40 | 14 |
| Lens | 65 | 21 | 6 |
| Paris SG U19 | 29 | 31 | 4 |
| Paris SG Youth League | 10 | 9 | 1 |
| Paris Saint-Germain | 5 | 0 | 0 |
What position does Arnaud Kalimuendo play?
While he primarily operates as a centre-forward, Kalimuendo’s ability to shift into wide or deeper roles adds an extra dimension to his game, making him a versatile option in attack.
In his time across various clubs, the 23-year-old has occasionally played out wide or just off the main striker, with a couple of appearances on both wings and as a second striker.
However, the bulk of his productivity has come through the middle, where he has netted the majority of his goals.
Kalimuendo position breakdown:
| Position | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Centre-Forward | 146 | 58 | 17 |
| Left Winger | 8 | 5 | 1 |
| Second Striker | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Right Winger | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Arnaud Kalimuendo 2024/25 season stats for Rennes
The 2024/25 campaign has been one of Kalimuendo’s most productive seasons yet, with the Frenchman finding the net regularly in Ligue 1 and adding valuable contributions in the Coupe de France as well.
In total, he has racked up 18 goals and 4 assists across all competitions this term, proving himself to be a reliable outlet in the final third.
Kalimuendo 2024/25 stats:
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
| Ligue 1 | 33 | 17 | 4 | 2,591′ |
| Coupe de France | 1 | 1 | 0 | 90′ |
| Total | 34 | 18 | 4 | 2,681′ |
Kalimuendo style of play and strengths
Kalimuendo is a forward who thrives on intelligent movement, combining flair, pace and work-rate to carve out space and unsettle defences. He is comfortable carrying the ball forward into dangerous areas and often looks to drop into deeper pockets to link play with his midfielders.
In attacking sequences, he has demonstrated strong awareness, frequently keeping his head up to assess passing options, rather than opting to shoot from poor angles. When out wide, he is capable of whipping in accurate crosses and feeding the ball into the box with purpose.
The 23-year-old also brings pressing intensity off the ball, using his pace and aggression to disrupt opponents and force turnovers. He is not one to dwell on the ball or complicate moves – if the shot is not on, he will lay it off to a better-positioned teammate.
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