Guela Doue, a right-back for Rennes, has been signed by Chelsea ahead of Roma; the defender will be the team’s seventh new addition of the summer transfer window.
In an attempt to begin the Enzo Maresca era, the Blues have been active in the transfer market, as seen by the arrival of Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Caleb Wiley, Renato Veiga, Omari Kellyman, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Stamford Bridge.
As Robert Sanchez’s rival arrives in west London, it is believed that Chelsea is also nearing an agreement to sign goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen of Villarreal.
Gianluca Di Marzio claims that Doue will follow suit in a move that has gone unnoticed up until this point. As to the report, the 21-year-old will pay about €7 million (£5.9 million) plus €2 million (£1.7 million) in bonuses to sign with Chelsea.
But in an attempt to get regular first-team action, Doue will be transferred on loan to Strasbourg for the 2017 campaign right away.
The adaptable Ivory Coast international, who can play center defense, right back, or defensive midfielder, has drawn interest from Roma as well. Earlier this summer, he turned down Rennes’ offer of a new deal.
Doue has just one year remaining on his current deal in Brittany and the Ligue 1 outfit have decided to cash in on their academy product to avoid losing the player on a free transfer in 12 months time.
After joining Rennes at the age of eight, Doue rose through the academy ranks and made his senior debut as a second-half substitute in a 3-0 victory over Strasbourg in February 2023.
The youngster has gone on to make 35 appearances in the French top flight, while also earning two caps for the Ivory Coast national team.
Doue’s older brother, Desire, also plays for Rennes and his cousins Yann Gboho and Marc-Olivier Doue turn out for Toulouse and Eldense respectively.
Facing the media after Chelsea’s pre-season draw with Wrexham, Maresca said ‘anything’ was possible in the transfer market, with over a month remaining until the deadline.
Asked for an update on Chelsea plans, Maresca told reporters: ‘When the transfer window is open, anything can happen for us and for the rest.’
Pressed on Chelsea’s interest in Villarreal ‘keeper Jorgensen, Maresca added: ‘We’ll see, we’ll see.
‘In this moment we have four goalkeepers. [Dorde] Petrovic is still with us but injured. We will see with the timing.
‘What I can say is Robert [Sanchez] did very well tonight and did very well since we started. For sure, the way we want to play, the goalkeeper is very, very important – one of the main positions.
‘And I don’t want to talk about players that are not Chelsea players but I am very happy with Robert.’