Bayer Leverkusen move closer to Guela Doue deal after defender approves Bundesliga switch

Bayer Leverkusen have taken a significant step towards signing RC Strasbourg right-back Guela Doue, with the 23-year-old giving his approval to a move to Germany.

The Ivory Coast international is reportedly enthusiastic about joining the Bundesliga club after seeking advice from former Bayer Leverkusen players about the opportunity. According to Florian Plettenberg, Doue has now given the green light to the proposed transfer.

A verbal agreement has been reached between the player and Bayer Leverkusen. However, the deal cannot be completed until the German club and RC Strasbourg settle the remaining details of the transfer fee.

Doue is waiting for an agreement between the two sides before arranging his medical examination. Until that point, the move remains dependent on negotiations between his current club and Leverkusen.

The transfer fee is the main obstacle. Bayer Leverkusen have set a limit of 40m euros for the defender and are not prepared to exceed that figure. Santi Aouna of Foot Mercato reports that the club is instead considering a package worth 35m euros, including performance-related bonuses.

That proposed figure would leave Doue’s transfer just below Bayer Leverkusen’s record signing, which was set by the arrival of Jarell Quansah in 2025. The German club are therefore attempting to strengthen their options at right-back without breaking their existing spending ceiling.

Doue is valued at 20m euros by Transfermarkt. He earns an annual salary of 900,000 euros, equivalent to 585,000,000 FCFA, and remains under contract with RC Strasbourg until 2029.

The defender’s willingness to join Leverkusen has helped advance the negotiations, but the clubs must still bridge the gap between Strasbourg’s valuation and Bayer’s proposed offer. A final agreement would allow Doue to complete his medical and move closer to becoming a Leverkusen player.

Bayer Leverkusen are due to play their second Bundesliga match of the season against Union Berlin soon. The match has also been listed by betting company 1xbet, which gives Leverkusen odds of 1.50 to win, 4.33 for a draw and 5.50 for an Union Berlin victory.

For now, the focus remains on the discussions over Doue’s fee. His personal approval and the verbal agreement with Bayer Leverkusen mean progress has been made, but the transfer will not be finalised until the Bundesliga side and RC Strasbourg reach a compromise.