Man Utd set to battle Arsenal for transfer of £35m wonderkid, 18, team-mates call ‘best youngster they’ve seen’

MANCHESTER UNITED and Arsenal are targeting Rennes wonderkid Desire Doue ahead of the summer transfer window.

Doue, 18, took Ligue 1 by storm with four goals and five assists in 31 league appearances during the 2023-24 campaign.

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According to The Mail, United and the Gunners have both asked about the playmaker and that could spark an intense bidding war.

However, the Red Devils and Arsenal face competition from Premier League foes Tottenham.

Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund have also enquired about the France Under-23 international.

This comes as no surprise as Doue shone bright this term thanks to his marvellous dribbling skills.

That has led to the Frenchman’s team-mates describing him as the “best youngster they have seen”.

And that is why Rennes will demand over £35million with substantial add-ons from his suitors this summer.

The French outfit have proven to be tough negotiators as they sold Jeremy Doku to Manchester City for a whopping £56m only last summer.

And the club believe Doue has greater potential than Doku, which makes it clear they are highly unlikely to budge.

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Rennes manager Julien Stephan wants to keep the attacking midfielder but understands much will depend on what he decides to do this summer.

Stephan said: “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.”