Guela Doue arrives in Germany as Bayer Leverkusen move nears completion

Guela Doue is set to join Bayer Leverkusen from Strasbourg on the final day of the transfer window, with the Bundesliga club preparing to pay more than €30m for the Ivory Coast international.

The 23-year-old right-back was seen arriving in Leverkusen on Tuesday morning to undergo a medical, according to footage shared on social media. German media reports say the initial fee for Doue could rise to €35m once performance-related bonuses are included.

Doue has agreed to a five-year contract with Bayer Leverkusen, who have been looking to strengthen at right-back for some time.

The move would take him to the club that has been identified in the source reports as the 2024 English champions, although Leverkusen’s immediate priority is to complete the signing before the transfer deadline. Their pursuit of a new player in that position had been underlined earlier in the summer when Sergino Dest, the PSV Eindhoven defender, was linked with a move.

Doue’s arrival could also lead to the departure of Arthur. The Bayer Leverkusen player now appears to be on course to join Werder Bremen.

For Doue, the transfer would represent another significant step since he moved to Strasbourg from Stade Rennais in 2024. He has since established himself as an Ivory Coast international and represented his country at the World Cup this summer.

The defender’s move to Germany also carries a family connection to one of Europe’s most prominent young players. He is the older brother of Desire Doue, who plays for Paris St-Germain.

While Guela Doue has chosen to represent Ivory Coast, his younger brother has opted for an international career with France. The pair therefore follow different paths at national-team level, even as Guela prepares to continue his club career in the Bundesliga.

Bayer Leverkusen’s willingness to spend up to €35m reflects the importance they place on finding a long-term solution at right-back. Doue’s medical is the next formal stage before the transfer can be completed, with the player having already travelled to Leverkusen ahead of the expected announcement.