Newcastle and Dortmund plot swoop for record-breaking wonderkid

Tom Weber

• Updated: 20 Jan 2024 18:00 GMT
• 3 min read

Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund are set to do battle for the signature of Desire Doue, according to French media.

It is strange to call a player who is still only 18 a 'forgotten wonderkid,' yet that is exactly what Desire Doue is. The first player born in 2005 to score a goal in a top-five European league, Doue has pretty much disappeared from the eye of the public this term.

The teenager has been reduced to a substitute role at struggling Stade Rennais and speculation about his future has been abounding for several weeks. Last month, French media had already begun hinting that Doue was considering his options. Now, it seems, concrete interest in his services has appeared.

According to L'Equipe, Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United have enquired about the player's availability and how much he would cost with a view to making a move before the window slams shut. No official bid has as yet been submitted, but it may only be a matter of time before one materialises.

Doue's fall from grace

An attacking midfielder by trade, Doue needs a change of scenery to revitalise a career that has massively stagnated over the past six months. Famed talent refinery Borussia Dortmund would certainly offer him a good shot at achieving exactly that especially if wantaway USMNT star Gio Reyna departs. FootballTransfers exclusively revealed that he is wanted by Aston Villa.

Newcastle's renewed interest in the player - they already eyed him in the summer - is likely driven by the injuries to Joelinton, Joe Willock and Elliot Anderson, though whether Doue is ready for an important role in a Premier League team is up for debate.

The youngster was previously touted as the biggest French prospect since Ousmane Dembele, but at this point, he is struggling to fight for a first-team spot, having even featured for Rennes' reserves at times this season.

He did feature prominently in the Ligue 1 sides' two most recent league fixtures, though, coming on as a half-time substitute - and scoring - against Clermont and playing 86 minutes as a winger in a 2-0 win over high-flying Nice.