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Transfer rumours: Desire Doue to Newcastle, Borja Iglesias to Bayer Leverkusen, Neco Williams to Feyenoord

sportsmole.co.uk, 23 January 2024, 10:40
Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund are reportedly interested in signing Rennes starlet Desire Doue.

The 18-year-old has already made 56 first-team appearances for Rennes since and including his debut in August 2022, chipping in with six goals and two assists.

Doue has not been regular starter, though, having begun just eight of his 22 outings for Rennes in all competitions this season, leading to speculation over a possible exit amid interest from a number of European clubs.

According to L'Equipe, both Newcastle and Dortmund are expected to submit offers for Doue before the January transfer window slams shut.

The Magpies are said to have held an interest in Doue since last summer, but they opted to pursue other targets in the previous transfer window.

Rennes' valuation of Doue is currently unknown, but the Ligue 1 club are under no immediate pressure to sell the attacker as he is under contract until June 2026.

Moving to Germany and Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias.

Xabi Alonso is currently having to cope without the presence of top scorer Victor Boniface, who is facing up to three months on the sidelines with a groin injury.

Iglesias has since emerged as a winter-window transfer target for Leverkusen, and journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that Die Werkself have made a formal approach to sign the Spaniard.

Romano adds that both Leverkusen and Betis have held talks over an initial loan deal with an option to buy, but the La Liga club are only interested in a permanent transfer at present.

Iglesias has spent his entire professional career in his native Spain, including the last four-and-a-half years with Real Betis for whom he has scored 52 goals in 181 appearances across all tournaments.

However, the 31-year-old has be forced to play second fiddle behind William Jose this season and has only scored twice in 10 starts and eight substitute outings.

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest have reportedly rejected a loan offer from Feyenoord for full-back Neco Williams.

The Wales international joined Forest from Liverpool for around £17m in July 2022 and he has since made 51 appearances for the club in all competitions.

However, Williams has struggled for regular game time at the City Ground this season, starting just six of his 15 outings across the Premier League, FA Cup and EFL Cup.

The 22-year-old has featured in all six matches under new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, though, battling with Gonzalo Montiel for starts at right-back.

According to Sky Sports News, Eredivisie club Feyenoord have approached Forest over a proposed loan deal for Williams, but their offer has been rebuffed by the Tricky Trees.

Williams has two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract at the City Ground, and it remains to be seen whether he will keep his place under Nuno when Serge Aurier and Ola Aina eventually return from Africa Cup of Nations duty.

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