Rennes' 18-year-old standout Desire Doue is being pursued by Arsenal.

This season has been a breakthrough for one young player in particular in Ligue 1. Desire Doue, the teenage sensation from Rennes, has caught the attention of many clubs, including Arsenal. The French club is reluctantly accepting that they will likely lose this rising star and are preparing for a bidding war.

At just 18 years old, Doue has already made 31 appearances in Ligue 1, scoring four goals and providing four assists. But his talent goes beyond just these numbers. He leads his team in successful dribbles per game and is the most fouled player in the squad. In fact, he ranks fifth in the league for completed dribbles, just one behind PSG's Ousmane Dembele.

Doue's potential has been recognized for quite some time now, as he has represented France at every youth age level. He is also expected to play a key role in Thierry Henry's squad for the upcoming Olympics. Rennes had hoped to keep him for one more season, but their failure to qualify for Europe means they will have to cash in on him sooner rather than later.

According to reports, Arsenal is one of the clubs positioning themselves to make a move for Doue. However, they face stiff competition from other top clubs like PSG, Manchester United, and a trio of German clubs. These clubs all have the financial means to pull off a deal, with Rennes likely looking for a sum close to the €66million they received for another young star, Jeremy Doku, last summer.

Arsenal is in need of a new winger, and Doue fits the bill perfectly. He also has the versatility to play through the middle, providing cover and competition for the existing options. Rennes manager Julien Stephan spoke about the interest in Doue, recognizing that in today's market, it's hard to keep hold of talented young players. He also expressed his regret that Doue will likely leave without having played a full season for the club.

Doue's potential has not gone unnoticed by his teammates either. Rennes midfielder Baptiste Santamaria had nothing but praise for him in a recent interview, calling him a talented player with incredible technical, physical, and percussive qualities. He believes that once Doue becomes more consistent, he will be unstoppable.

It's clear that Doue has a bright future ahead of him, and many top clubs are vying for his signature. As for Arsenal, they will have to be prepared to face tough competition if they want to secure the services of this young French phenom.

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