This summer will see Manchester United busy in the transfer window and now a possible Bruno Fernandes successor has been linked.
Ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup final, transfer links are already emerging which perfectly symbolises the busy summer that Ineos will be hoping for.
There are several positions which need addressing this summer in order to revamp a squad which has hit a wall this season.
One position which seems to be on the cards for an addition is the attacking midfield, with Bruno Fernandes beginning to have small injury concerns for the first time in his career.
Now, Manchester United have been linked with signing a successor for the club captain. It comes in the form of an 18-year-old Frenchman.
Manchester United enter talks with Desire Doue
According to a report from the Sports Zone on X, Rennes’ teenage sensation, Desire Doue now wants to leave the French side this summer.
It’s explained that his representatives are in talks with multiple clubs including PSG, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.
Although United are also mentioned, along with Arsenal as both Premier League clubs have begun contacts over a potential move for the teenager.
Doue is among the hottest attacking midfield prospects in the continent right now and it’s little surprise to see United interested as he could be the ideal Fernandes successor to bring in and develop for a year or two before he becomes a starter.
With a market value of just £17m according to CIES, Doue wouldn’t break the bank and could be an excellent option to strengthen the squad.
It’s also a move which could indicate the long-term planning to eventually replace Fernandes, just weeks after his departure was rumoured.
What has Nemanja Matic said about Desire Doue
Doue has enjoyed a strong season in Ligue 1 for Rennes and Nemanja Matic has tipped him as having “great potential” while speaking with the Ligue 1 website.
This has been the season in which Doue has announced himself to Europe, making 31 Ligue 1 appearances for Rennes in which he made nine goal contributions.
Four goals and five assists to his name have also seen him feature for the French U23 side and he’ll also likely be in Thierry Henry’s side for the Olympics over the summer.
Doue would be an excellent addition to the squad and signing him while Fernandes remains capable of starting week in and week out, means he’ll have the best mentor available to an attacking midfielder.