Arsenal have been told that Desire Doue is not for sale, with Paris Saint-Germain determined to keep the 20-year-old as the Desire Doue transfer chase hits a wall.
According to Sports Mole, citing a TEAMtalk report, Arsenal are one of three major Premier League clubs that have been informed of PSG’s stance. Chelsea and Manchester City made enquiries too, and all three have received the same clear message.
It is a blow for Mikel Arteta, who still appears open to adding to his attacking ranks despite the summer arrival of Christos Tzolis.
Why is Desire Doue not leaving PSG?
The report claims Doue is not actively looking to leave Luis Enrique’s side. PSG want to secure his long-term future, and the two parties are said to be making progress in talks over a new contract.
The France international currently has a deal with the Champions League winners until the summer of 2029, so the French club hold all the cards. Any Desire Doue Arsenal approach would have to start from the position that PSG simply do not want to talk.
How important is Desire Doue to Luis Enrique?
Very. The attacker has scored four goals and provided four assists in 12 competitive appearances this season, and he can play across the frontline.
His standing has only grown since Bradley Barcola left for Liverpool in the summer, a move Gooners will remember from our earlier look at Arsenal’s interest. It has grown again after the news that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury. With the Georgian out, Doue will keep getting regular game time.
Where does the Doue blow leave Arsenal’s wide plans?
Arsenal went big on the wing last summer, attempting to prise Vinicius Junior away from Real Madrid. The Brazil international decided against a move to the Emirates Stadium and signed a new long-term contract with Los Blancos, which is the story behind Arsenal’s pivot to a Turkish winger.
Now the Doue door looks shut as well, at least for the moment. Tzolis is the only high-profile addition on the flanks, and Arteta clearly still wants more quality out wide.
Author opinion: is the Desire Doue transfer dead?
Not dead, but frozen. A player with a deal to 2029 and a new contract being negotiated is about as hard to buy as it gets. Unless PSG change their mind, Arsenal will need a Plan B again, and Berta & Co have already had to find a few of those this year.
