6 months ago
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Arsenal are ready to rival a host of clubs to sign teenage Rennes sensation Desire Doue with the French club resigned to losing their young star.
The 18-year-old has made 31 appearances in Ligue 1 this season, scoring four times and laying on four assists, but those statistics only scratch the surface of how talented he is.
Doue leads the team in successful dribbles per game (averaging 2.1) and is also the most fouled player in the squad, while his total of 64 completed dribbles ranks him fifth in Ligue 1 and just one behind PSG’s Ousmane Dembele.
The phenom has long been identified as one of the most promising young talents in France and has represented his nation at every youth age level, while he is set to play a prominent role in Thierry Henry’s squad for this summer’s Olympics.
Rennes had hoped to keep him for one more season, but their failure to qualify for Europe – for the first time in seven years – means they will almost certainly cash in.
According to French publication Ouest-France, Arsenal are now positioning themselves to make a play for Doue’s signature – though they face plenty of competition.
Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain are also showing a big interest and want a new, young French player to build their attack around in the post-Kylian Mbappe era.
Manchester United are also keeping a very close eye on Doue – with new minority owners Ineos, who also own Nice, well aware of his pedigree and potential – while a trio of German clubs, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig, are also keen.
Arsenal, United and PSG have the financial means to pull off a deal, with Rennes likely to try and get a figure close to the €66million (£56m) they received from Manchester City for Jeremy Doku last summer.
They could even settle for a base fee of around €40m (£34m), though that would have to be heavily incentivised with a host of add-ons and bonuses.
Arsenal are believed to be in the market for a new winger this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to add cover and competition for his existing options, with Doue also capable of playing through the middle.
Rennes boss Julien Stephan spoke about the interest in Doue on Sunday, saying: ‘We know today’s market, notably for the very young players.
‘He will decide through his personal 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.’
Rennes midfielder Baptiste Santamaria was positively glowing when asked about his young team-mate in an interview with Eurosport France earlier this month.
‘He’s a very talented player with a great sense of football,’ explained the Frenchman.
‘He’s still young but he’s a player who aspires to go to the biggest clubs. He’s one of a kind: he likes to hit the ball but he’s solid on his feet. Desire’s technical, percussive and physical qualities are quite incredible.
‘When he becomes more consistent, he’ll be unplayable. For his age, he’s the most gifted youngster I’ve seen in my career.’
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