Guela Doue given permission to complete move from Strasbourg to Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen have reached an agreement with RC Strasbourg for the transfer of Ivory Coast right-back Guela Doue, in a deal worth €37.5m including bonuses, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 23-year-old has approved the move and has been given permission by Strasbourg to travel to Germany to complete the final stages of the transfer. Doue is expected to undergo a medical soon before signing officially for the German club.

The agreement represents a significant step in the development of a player who has quickly established himself at Strasbourg since joining from Stade Rennais in the summer of 2024. He remains under contract with the Racing until June 2029, but Leverkusen’s interest has now led to a deal being reached between the two clubs.

Leverkusen were attracted by Doue’s versatility, physical strength and defensive ability as they looked to add greater depth and quality to the right side of their team. The Ivory Coast international is now set to experience the Bundesliga for the first time and join a club with ambitions on the European stage.

For Strasbourg, the proposed transfer also represents a substantial financial return. The club signed Doue for only €6m in 2024, meaning the agreed fee of €37.5m, once bonuses are included, would deliver a considerable profit. His current market value is estimated at €20m.

Doue earns an annual salary of €900,000, equivalent to 585,000,000 CFA francs. He will now be hoping to complete the medical process and formalities quickly so that his move to Leverkusen can be confirmed.

The German side are due to play their second league match of the season against Union Berlin shortly. The reported betting odds for that fixture are 1.50 for a Leverkusen victory, 4.33 for a draw and 5.50 for an Union Berlin win, as listed by 1xBet.

Doue’s anticipated arrival would give Leverkusen another option in a position they identified as needing reinforcement, while Strasbourg face the prospect of losing a player who became one of their important performers after arriving from Stade Rennais.

Although the transfer has not yet been completed officially, the agreement between Leverkusen and RC Strasbourg, together with Doue’s approval and his authorised trip to Germany, means the move is now close to reaching its final stage.