Bayer Leverkusen are closing in on another major addition to their defensive ranks, with RC Strasbourg right back Guéla Doué set to complete a €37.5 million transfer to the Bundesliga club.
According to the latest transfer developments, Leverkusen have reached an agreement with Strasbourg over a package worth €37.5 million, including add ons. The player has reportedly given the green light to the move, while Strasbourg have authorised him to travel as the final stages of the transfer get underway.
The two clubs are now expected to exchange the necessary documentation before Doué completes his medical and formally puts pen to paper on his contract with Bayer Leverkusen.
The agreement represents a significant investment from Leverkusen, who have identified the right back position as an area requiring additional depth. Doué’s arrival is expected to provide the German side with a young, physically strong and tactically versatile defender capable of operating in several defensive roles.
At 23 years old, Doué has already established himself as one of the promising young defenders to emerge from French football. Born in Angers, France, on October 17, 2002, the Ivorian international stands around 1.87 metres tall and primarily operates as a right back. He is naturally right footed but has demonstrated the ability to contribute in more advanced and defensive positions.
Doué developed through the youth system at Stade Rennais, where he began building his professional career before eventually making the move to Strasbourg. His performances at Rennes attracted attention because of his athletic ability, defensive awareness and capacity to progress the ball from the back.
His transfer to Strasbourg in 2024 reportedly cost around €6 million, a move that gave the defender an important platform to develop further in Ligue 1. Since arriving at La Meinau, Doué has continued to grow into an increasingly influential player and has demonstrated that his game is about much more than traditional defending.
One of the most interesting aspects of Doué’s profile is his versatility. Although he is primarily regarded as a right back, he has also been used as a right sided centre back and wing back. Tactical analysis of his performances has highlighted his ability to operate comfortably in different defensive structures, making him particularly valuable for coaches who want flexibility in their systems.
His passing ability is another part of his game that has attracted attention. Previous analysis of his Ligue 1 performances showed that Doué ranked highly among full backs and wing backs for progressive passing, highlighting his ability to move the ball forward and help his team progress from defensive areas.
The defender has also developed at international level with Ivory Coast. Although born in France, Doué represents the Ivory Coast internationally and has become part of the country’s senior setup. His international experience adds another layer to his development as he continues to establish himself at the highest level of African and European football.
Doué is also part of a well known football family. He is the older brother of Désiré Doué, the highly rated French international who has made a name for himself in European football. Despite sharing the same surname and football background, Guéla has developed his own identity as a defender and has built a career based on his defensive qualities, versatility and physical attributes.
His expected move to Bayer Leverkusen therefore represents another important step in that journey.
Leverkusen’s decision to invest €37.5 million in the defender demonstrates the club’s belief in his potential. The German side have been looking for additional options at right back, particularly with competition for places and the need for greater depth across a demanding season. Recent reports have identified the position as a priority for the club during the final stages of the summer transfer window.
For Strasbourg, the deal would represent a substantial return on their investment after signing Doué from Rennes for approximately €6 million. His development at the French club has significantly increased his value and turned him into one of the more notable defensive departures of the current transfer window.
For Doué, meanwhile, the move offers the opportunity to test himself in the Bundesliga and compete at a club with ambitions of challenging for major domestic and European honours.
The immediate focus will now be on completing his medical, finalising the paperwork and making the transfer official. If everything proceeds as expected, Doué will become the latest addition to Bayer Leverkusen’s squad and begin a new chapter of his career in Germany.
The transfer will also give Leverkusen supporters the chance to see a defender who combines physical strength, defensive versatility and progressive passing ability. At just 23, Doué still has considerable room for development, making the €37.5 million investment one that could prove significant for the club in the years ahead.
Guéla Doué’s journey from the Rennes academy to Strasbourg and now towards Bayer Leverkusen illustrates the rapid progression of a young defender who has steadily built his reputation in French football. His next challenge will be adapting to the intensity and tactical demands of the Bundesliga and proving that he can make the step from promising Ligue 1 defender to an important player for one of Germany’s leading clubs..
