Ivory Coast international Guéla Doué has officially completed a move to Bayer Leverkusen from Racing Strasbourg. The German club announced the signing on Thursday, for an initial fee of €30 million, with the 23-year-old right-back penning a five-year contract until June 2031. This deal, reported by www.getfootballnewsgermany.com, comes as the Elephants sit second in their World Cup group with six points, but have lost their last two matches.
Doué, who featured in all four of Ivory Coast's matches at the 2026 World Cup, will wear the number 20 shirt for his new club. The total package could rise to €36 million with performance-related add-ons. Leverkusen's sporting director Simon Rolfes welcomed the addition of a high-class player. "By signing Guéla Doué, we have strengthened ourselves excellently at right-back." he said.
What is Guéla Doué's career path?
Guéla Doué moves to Germany after two full seasons in Ligue 1 with Strasbourg. The Alsatian club had signed him from Stade Rennes in 2024 for approximately €6 million. During his time at La Meinau, the right-back made 69 competitive appearances, scoring three goals and providing nine assists. His attacking profile and consistency convinced Bayer Leverkusen's scouts to make a significant investment. The player expressed his excitement for the new challenge. "I had two wonderful years in France with Racing Strasbourg." Doué stated.
Where does he fit in the Leverkusen squad?
At Leverkusen, Doué will have to prove himself to claim the right-back spot. He will face competition from the experienced Lucas Vázquez, who arrived last summer. This battle for a starting berth should benefit the collective under manager Xabi Alonso. Doué's profile, capable of contributing actively in attack, fits the football played by Die Werkself. His signing represents a major investment for the club, banking on his development and future resale value with a contract running to 2031. Fans can track the squad's composition on our squad page.
What is the context with the Ivory Coast national team?
This transfer occurs during a specific sporting context for Ivory Coast. The Elephants, second in their World Cup group, have scored four goals and conceded two in their first three matches. Their last result was a 2-1 defeat to Norway on June 30, 2026. The team's recent form is challenging, with just one win and four losses in their last five games, including two consecutive defeats. Doué's move to an ambitious Bundesliga club is positive news for the national team manager, who sees a key player competing at a high level. The upcoming fixture schedule can be found on our fixtures page.
What does this deal mean for the transfer market?
The Guéla Doué transfer, valued at a firm €30 million, highlights the market for attacking full-backs. Leverkusen is making a bet on the future by committing to a five-year deal with a player still developing. This move also marks a significant step in the career of the older brother of Paris Saint-Germain's rising star Désiré Doué. For Strasbourg, the sale represents a substantial profit on the initial €6 million investment made two years ago. Doué's journey, from Rennes to Strasbourg and then to the Bundesliga via the World Cup, shows steady progression. The player has signed a five-season deal and will wear the number 20.
