French right-back Guéla Doué is on the verge of a move to Bayer Leverkusen. The 23-year-old has chosen the Bundesliga club as his preferred destination, convinced by their sporting project.
Negotiations between Bayer Leverkusen and RC Strasbourg are in their decisive stage. The transfer fee remains the main outstanding issue. Initial demands from Strasbourg had been as high as €50 million, but those figures are now believed to be off the table. Talks have moved considerably closer together, and the gap is considered bridgeable. Bayer Leverkusen are prepared to put together a package worth around €30 million. The two clubs could eventually reach an agreement in the region of €35 million. German magazine Kicker said: "Had Strasbourg remained firm around the €40 million mark, Leverkusen would likely have moved on."
Guéla Doué was convinced by the project at Leverkusen after speaking to former Bayer players and the club's hierarchy. His priority is a move where he can play regularly, and Bayer Leverkusen have given him assurances of regular playing time. French giants Paris Saint-Germain were also interested in the defender, but Doué's preference lies clearly with Leverkusen. The move is increasingly close to becoming a reality.
The right-back position is one of the few areas where coach Carles Martínez would like more options. The team currently has only one dedicated option for that role. Doué offers a combination of athleticism, defensive ability, and attacking quality that the club has been looking for. His versatility is a major asset. He can play as a traditional right-back and can also operate higher up the pitch. This flexibility allows Martínez to alter the team's tactical structure without necessarily changing personnel, fitting the tactical variability the new coach wants from his squad.
The season is already underway, and Bayer Leverkusen find themselves in 15th place in the Bundesliga after one match. Their record shows 0 points, 0 wins, 0 draws, and 1 loss with a goal difference of 2 scored and 3 conceded. This leaves them three points behind leaders Bayern Munich. Their next fixture is a home match against 7th-placed Union Berlin on September 5, 2026. The current injury list includes E. Ben Seghir, M. Culbreath, K. Eichhorn, and M. Terrier. Against this backdrop and with the season started, there is a degree of urgency to resolve the right-back position. The club has spent much of the summer reshaping their defence and wants to avoid carrying uncertainty into the autumn.
Should the transfer be completed as expected, Doué would provide an immediate option for Coach Martínez. The defensive reinforcement comes at a time when the team is seeking stability after a poor start to the campaign. The upcoming tasks, starting with the home game against Union Berlin, require a solid defensive foundation. Integrating a new player into an ongoing season is a challenge, but Doué's profile appears tailor-made for the team's needs. Fans can follow the progress of the negotiations and the club's further plans on our squad overview and check the upcoming schedule in our fixtures section.
