Arsenal join race for £34m-rated teenager | OneFootball

Arsenal have joined the race to sign 18-year-old Stade Rennais midfielder Desire Doue, according to a report.

Rennes’ Desire Doue celebrates after winning the penalty shoot-out of the French Cup round of 32 football match between Stade Rennais and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at the Roazhon Park stadium in Rennes on January 21, 2024. (Photo by LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images)

French outlet Ouest-France (via GFFN) report that Arsenal have joined Manchester United and PSG in showing an interest in Desire Doue of Stade Rennais.

Other clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, and Bayer Leverkusen are also interested in the player, but only Arsenal, United, and PSG are believed to be able to afford him this summer.

Rennes are willing to listen to offers north of €40m (£34m), but they’re hoping an eventual deal could even go as high as €70m (£60m) when including bonuses.

Rennes’ Desire Doue celebrate after scoring his team’s opening goal during the French L1 football match between Stade Rennais FC and Toulouse FC at The Roazhon Park Stadium in Rennes, western France, on April 13, 2024. (Photo by FRED TANNEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Rennes boss Julien Stephan appeared to suggest that the club are likely to lose Doue this summer, speaking in a recent interview.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news

“We know today’s market, notably for the very young players,” Stephan said.

“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’ Desire Doue reacts during the French L1 football match between FC Lorient and Toulouse FC at Stade du Moustoir in Lorient, western France, on April 28, 2024. (Photo by LOU BENOIST/AFP via Getty Images)

Doue made 42 appearances for the Rennes senior side this season, scoring four goals and providing six assists. 25 of those appearances were starts.

The teenager split his time between various positions, as he’s capable of playing in midfield or out on the wings, but he primarily featured as a left winger.

Having featured for the France u23s in a couple of friendlies over the March international break, scoring two goals in two games, it seems likely Doue will be involved for his country at the Olympics this summer.