Newcastle United are interested in teenage prodigy Desire Doue as they press on with plans to recruit some of the best young players in Europe.
The Stade Rennais midfielder only turned 18 earlier this month but has attracted attention from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain after a breakthrough season in which he featured heavily in Ligue 1 and in the Europa League.
A pacey, attack-minded midfielder, he became the club’s youngest scorer in the Europa League and is viewed as the latest talent to emerge at a club that developed Real Madrid star Eduardo Camavinga.
Doue became the first player born in 2005 to score in any of the five major European leagues last year and is seen in scouting circles as a raw but prodigous talent. He can play as a central midfield, as a No 10 and as a right-winger.
i can reveal Newcastle contacted his representatives earlier this year as they ponder a move for the £12m-rated forward.
“I know Newcastle came to watch him and were in touch with us,” Doue’s agent and former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre told i.
“Like a lot of clubs in Europe when they scout, they come and try and speak to the entourage and get a feeling and try to understand what the situation is.
“It’s not necessarily about the contractual situation but also what’s going on in the life of the player as much as possible before they make a move.”
Doue has a contract until 2025 and Stade Rennais do not want lose him this summer. Silvestre said “no decision” had been made on Doue for next season but “big clubs from all over Europe” have been monitoring him.
Silvestre added: “It was his breakthrough season, a big season for him. He [was] only 17 and did it going through the Baccalaureat [French academic qualification]. Unlike other players he had to wake up early in the morning to go to school and he managed that well.
“He’s a talented player and attracted big teams from all over Europe but no decision has been made on him. He has exams on 20 June, it’s strange but that’s the life of a 17- or 18-year-old.”
Newcastle are carrying out a dual recruitment drive this summer, with director of football Dan Ashworth looking to bring some of the most talented young players in Europe to St James’ Park while the club strengthen ahead of their return to the Champions League.
Newcastle announced the signing of 18-year-old Gambia winger Yankuba Minteh from Danish club Odense earlier this week before immediately loaning him to Feyenoord. They signed 18-year-old Australia international Garang Kuol from Central Coast Mariners last year.
The club have funds to strengthen in the close season but sources insist their efforts will be partially governed by Financial Fair Play regulations. Previous summer windows have seen similar warnings before the club did invest heavily but FFP remains on the lips of the club’s key power brokers.
As reported by i in March, Newcastle are pressing ahead with a move for Leicester’s £60m-rated England international James Maddison. There is a measure of optimism that they can see off competition from Spurs.
Manager Eddie Howe wants two midfielders after the sale of Jonjo Shelvey last season but it is expected that Allan Saint-Maximin will stay at St James’ Park despite his cryptic social media post last week.
There were perhaps hints of Newcastle’s approach to next season with news of contract offers to fringe men Paul Dummett and Loris Karius – while the Magpies triggered the option of an additional year on Matt Ritchie’s deal.
All three are unlikely to figure in Howe’s first team plans but the Newcastle boss needs reliable, senior players to help cope with a vastly expanded fixture programme next season. Ritchie started twice last season – in EFL and FA Cup fixtures – but is seen as influential behind-the-scenes.
The club announced the departures of midfielder Matty Longstaff and 33-year-old veteran Ciaran Clark, although the former is being assisted in the return from a long-term injury.
Newcastle also confirmed that defender Dan Burn has activated a further year on his contract based on appearances. He is now tied to the club until 2025.
Mikael Silvestre was speaking to i in conjunction with Freebets
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