According to latest reports in France, Arsenal have expressed interest in signing Stade Rennes winger Desire Doue in this upcoming transfer window. However, the Gunners will face tough competition from a host of top European clubs for the wonderkid.
Desire Doue is the academy product of Stade Rennais. He started his youth career with the French club at the age of 5 years. The youngster developed his skills, gained speed and strength playing for the club’s various youth teams from 2011 to 2021.
Eventually, the 18-year-old was promoted to Rennes’ senior team in 2022 and signed his first professional contract. On the other hand, the teenager made his debut for France’s youth national team in 2021 at the U17 level. He has also represented the country in the U19 and U21 level.
According to French publication Ouest France (via Metro), Arsenal have expressed keen interest in acquiring the services of Stade Rennais’ teenage sensation Desire Doue. The North Londoners are ready to rival an array of top European clubs to secure his signature.
The Gunners are looking to strengthen their squad and bring in a winger this summer. Manager Mikel Arteta wants to add a cover for his existing attackers and deems the youngster a perfect fit. The Frenchman can become a long-term asset for the club, given his skills and talent.
The Ligue 1 side wanted to keep hold of the 18-year-old for atleast another season before deciding on selling him. However, Rennes failed to qualify for any European competition this season, having finished 10th in the Ligue 1 and therefore, could be forced to cash in on the young winger.
Manchester United and Arsenal remain interested in Désiré Doué – both having made initial contact with the player’s representatives in May.
Talks are currently on hold while Doué focuses on his Olympic responsibilities with France. pic.twitter.com/OhIRwQ2NNx
— SCOOP. (@AcademyScoop) June 18, 2024
Nevertheless, multiple clubs are tracking the France youth international. French champions PSG are showing great interest in signing the player. On the other hand, Manchester United are also keeping a close eye on the youngster while Bundesliga clubs Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig are also interested.
Among all the competitors, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United are the main challengers in terms of finance who can compete with Arsenal for Desire Doue. The report claims that Rennes could ask for around €66 million, however, no official figure has been quoted.
Desire Doue made 31 Ligue 1 appearances for Stade Rennais in the recently concluded 2023-24 season, chalking up 4 goals and 5 assists (stats via Transfermarkt). These statistics do not convey the complete picture on the Frenchman’s abilities.
Arsenal su Desire Douè 😍pic.twitter.com/gGM4wHb568 https://t.co/0gasCS0cap
— 🔴 infernALE⚫️ Waiting for Tiago Santos. Day 111 (@infernALE96) May 21, 2024
He is sharp and possesses excellent dribbling skills. The winger is clean, tactful and quite superb with the ball at his feet. The youngster leads the team’s stats in successful dribbles per game (averaging 2.1) while his 64 completed dribbles positions him fifth in Ligue 1.
The wonderkid has been marked as one of the most promising talents in France, given his immense potential. The 18-year-old has represented the national team at every youth level and is set to play a prominent role for Thierry Henry’s Olympic squad. Rennes boss Julien Stephan recently spoke about the reported interest for the teenage (via Mirror):
“We know today’s market, notably for the very young players. He will decide through his ambition. I’m not naive.
‘We’re glad to have developed him during the second part of the season. He’s at risk of leaving without a single full season here, that’s a shame. I would have liked that; that would have been an ideal situation.’
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So, let’s wait and see what will be the attacker’s next destination. Coming to Arsenal will indeed give Desire Doue a bigger and better stage to develop. He will have the opportunity to work with some of the best coaches and hone his skills. All this will be crucial for realising his potential.
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