Newcastle interested in Rennes winger Désiré Doué

Having only signed his first professional contract in April of last year, the aptly-named 18-year-old winger Désiré Doué has emerged as one of French football’s most promising talents, having become a regular at Rennes this past season and finding the net three times.

His performances have not gone unnoticed, and despite a recent contract extension to 2025, Doué has inevitably been linked to clubs from Ligue 1 and beyond. Speaking to The i, his agent Mikaël Silvestre – formerly a defender for Manchester United and Arsenal – has confirmed the UK outlet’s reporting that Newcastle have shown an interest in the attacking midfielder.

The former French international indicates that representatives from the Premier League side had been to watch Doué’s games and were in touch prior to a possible move. Silvestre concludes that no decision had been made on the teenager’s future – although the Bretons do not want to sell him this summer – but that clubs from around the continent had been keeping an eye on him.

Silvestre and his client had already caused frustration at Rennes earlier this season when the pair travelled to watch a Barcelona match – he had been given the day off as a result of a thigh injury – while his teammates were losing away to Montpellier.