Back-to-back runner-up finishes behind Manchester City suggest Arsenal are closing the gap on their elusive first Premier League title since 2004.
Manager Mikel Arteta could use an extra bit of quality next term after narrowly missing out on the crown, finishing only two points adrift of Pep Guardiola’s record-breaking team.
According to Ouest-France, Rennes teen sensation Desire Doue has caught the Gunners’ eye, with the Roazhon Park outfit resigned to losing their prodigious midfielder this summer.
In addition to Arsenal, perennial Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain have laid a watchful eye on the 18-year-old, who enjoyed a superb breakout season in the French top division.
Despite his young age, Doue was one of Rennes’ standout performers in 2023/24, collecting 31 league appearances and registering four goals and five assists.
His versatility allows him to cover multiple roles in the midfield, though Rennes boss Julien Stephan frequently deployed him as a left-winger.
With that in mind, Arsenal’s interest in the France U-23 international makes little sense, as Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have fared reasonably well in that position.
But if Arteta can transform Doue into a box-to-box midfielder, he could be a massive coup for the North London heavyweights, given his blistering pace and exceptional technique.
He won’t come cheap, though.
L’Equipe report that Rennes would ask for up to £60 million to sanction the youngster’s departure, and they’re in a perfect bargaining position to make the most out of his sale this summer.
Doue’s contract expires in 2026, meaning Les Rennais will listen to offers for their prize asset in the coming months, knowing his price would drop at the end of next season.
After decades of careful spending under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal adopted a more proactive approach following his departure, starting to invest more heavily in recent years.
Only last summer, they splashed out north of £200m to sign Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, suggesting Rennes’ demands would unlikely deter them from pursuing Doue’s signature.
