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Paris Saint-Germain have won the race to sign French star Desire Doue and the move is most likely to “end their search” for Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho.
Doué, 19, has emerged as one of the most promising clients on the market this summer, with many elite European clubs expressing interest in the Stade Rennais academy graduate, including United. A report aired through The Peoples Person in May revealed that Old Trafford officials had “initiated contacts” with the Ligue 1 side over a potential transfer for Doue following an extensive search through the recruitment department.
However, there has been little progress in United’s pursuit of the French midfielder beyond those early reports, with the biggest focus at Old Trafford centred on a defensive rather than offensive attitude, apart from the deal to sign Joshua Zirzkee from Bologna.
Instead, it was two of the continent’s heavyweights, PSG and Bayern Munich, who temporarily emerged at the front of the Doue queue, with both groups eyeing the 19-year-old as a key target for their team’s revamp this summer.
Initially, it seemed like Bayern were in control, so I pointed to Doue. The German club has already signed Michael Olise to play on their right wing and was keen to mirror the Doué-Olise partnership that helped the French team smooth over the Olympics last month.
Given this, PSG would have opportunities if their search for Doue failed; with Sancho as his objective. And, as explained in more detail here, PSG have started talks with the United winger’s representatives, reaching an “agreement in principle” on a transfer.
United were keen to sell the 24-year-old, but only for a consistent price. If that threshold is reached, the club would be content to keep Sancho in Ten Hag’s team this season after effectively repairing the couple’s damaged relationship.
However, the move budget at Old Trafford has been a factor this summer, with United having to sell players to fund further signings. Had Sancho been sold for a significant fee (in the region of £40m or more) it would have greatly improved the club’s ability to sign a new midfielder or striker, for example.
United have also shown significant interest in PSG midfielder Manuel Ugarte, but the France champions’ rating has so far proved too high to reach an agreement to sign the Uruguay international. A potential transfer deal involving Sancho could have been an option that could have simply helped fix the issues related to moving fees.
That’s why this latest update that PSG beat Bayern to a deal with Stade Rennais to sign Doué, via Fabrizio Romano, will be a huge blow for the Red Devils.
Not only is an elite skill they have been chasing for many months no longer on the market, but his signing will also likely save his new club from striking a deal to sign Sancho.
?? Désiré Doué will be Paris Saint-Germain’s new player, no doubt after the decision made last night.
Bayern are already out of the race because they have never received an agreement or a definitive green light.
PSG will take formal measures. pic. twitter. com/5VE9CwEC2c
– Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 12, 2024
Tweet: “Désiré Doué will be the new player for Paris Saint-Germain, without a doubt after the resolution taken last night. Bayern is already out of the race because it has never received an agreement or a definitive green light. PSG will take formal measures.
The saving grace of the deal for Doue is that it will further increase the pressure on PSG to sell Ugarte after two successful transfers (Doue and Joao Neves), with the French club most likely needing sales to balance their books.
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