Bayer Leverkusen seal €37m deal for Strasbourg right‑back Guéla Doué

Official announcement confirms Bayer Leverkusen have signed 23‑year‑old Ivory Coast international full‑back Guéla Doué from BlueCo‑owned Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg Alsace, addressing a right‑back shortage that left only 35‑year‑old Lucas Vazquez as the sole option in the squad for the upcoming Bundesliga campaign.

Deal value and contract

Bayer will pay Strasbourg a base fee of €30 million, with performance‑related bonuses capable of raising the total to €37.5 million. Doué will wear the number 20 jersey for his new club.

The German side has already invested heavily in Ligue 1 talent this summer, spending a combined €52 million on Afonso Moreira and Facundo Medina. Those acquisitions underline Bayer’s strategy of bolstering the squad with French‑league players.

Leverkusen entered the market short of right‑back options, relying solely on the 35‑year‑old Lucas Vazquez as the only available specialist. Doué’s arrival therefore expands depth and creates competition for the position.

Elversberg tear up the record books after dream Bundesliga debut victory over Bayer Leverkusen

Squad context and family link

The 23‑year‑old Ivory Coast international first arrived at Strasbourg from Rennes in a €6 million deal. His older brother, Désiré Doué, has also secured a move, signing a five‑year contract with Carlos Martinez Novell’s Bundesliga outfit. The Dou family now has two members in Germany.

Doué is the latest key player to leave La Meinau this summer, following the exits of Valentin Barco, Diego Moreira and Abdoul Ouattara. The departures highlight Strasbourg’s significant turnover of talent.

With Lucas Vazquez now joined by Doué, Bayer Leverkusen gain a younger alternative who can challenge for the starting role and provide cover throughout the campaign.

Both clubs have announced the transfer, completing the deal and confirming Doué’s move to the BayArena.