Man Utd and Arsenal to battle for 18-year-old French wonderkid

Cameron Smith

26 May 2024 17:15 BST
3 min read

Erik ten Hag, Mikel Arteta, France, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Manchester United and Arsenal are among the clubs interested in signing Stade Rennais wonderkid Desire Doue during the upcoming summer transfer window.

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Doue, 18, is regarded as one of the most exciting youngsters in European football and he is being chased by a host of elite clubs after an impressive 2023-24 campaign.

The Rennes teenager, who is capable of playing as a winger or in central midfield, made 43 appearances last season, scoring four goals and providing six assists.

Doue has reportedly been on the radar of top clubs for the past year, but an exit is possible this summer amid significant transfer interest.

According to The Daily Mail, the Rennes starlet is being monitored by Man Utd, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen ahead of the summer window.

The report states that Rennes will demand at least €40 million for Doue, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €21m - the sixth most of any player aged 18 or under in world football.

Desire Doue to leave Rennes?

Doue is expected to be selected in France’s squad for the Paris Olympics later this summer, which could complicate any potential transfer, while his current contract at Rennes is due to expire in 2026.

Despite his tender age, Doue has already racked up 76 first-team appearances for Rennes, having progressed through the club’s illustrious academy system.

After their final Ligue 1 match of the season against Reims, Rennes boss Julien Stephan told the media (as per The Daily Mail): “We know today’s market, notably for the very young players. He [Doue] 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.”