Bayer Leverkusen have officially completed the signing of Ivory Coast international Guéla Doué from Racing Strasbourg. The 23-year-old right-back has signed a five-year contract through June 2031 and will wear the number 20 shirt for die Werkself. Get German Football News reported on Saturday that Doué had emerged as Leverkusen’s priority target at right-back, with the player having already given his basic commitment to the move.
Transfermarkt reports that Leverkusen will pay an initial €30m fee, with performance-related bonuses potentially increasing the package to €36m. Should all bonuses be activated, Doué could surpass Malik Tillman and Jarell Quansah as Bayer’s most expensive signing.
Doué arrives after two seasons with Strasbourg. The French-born defender joined the Alsatian club from Stade Rennes for approximately €6m in 2024 and quickly established himself as a regular. He scored three goals and contributed nine assists in 69 competitive appearances at his most recent Ligue 1 outfit.
The older brother of Paris Saint-Germain star Désiré Doué has also established himself at senior international level with the Ivory Coast. He featured in all four of his country’s matches at the 2026 World Cup.
Doué provides Leverkusen with the specialist right-back the club had been seeking throughout the latter stages of the transfer window. Lucas Vázquez represents his most obvious competition for the position following an extensive summer reconstruction of the Bayer squad.
Statements on Guéla Doué’s arrival
“By signing Guéla Doué, we have strengthened ourselves excellently at right-back,” Leverkusen managing director Simon Rolfes noted in his club statement. “We can look forward to a high-class new signing who fits our squad extremely well.”
“I had two wonderful years in France with Racing Strasbourg,” Doué said. “But now I wanted to take the step into the Bundesliga with a club that really impressed me during our talks. The team is talented and has so many good footballers. I’m incredibly excited to play with these guys.”
