Aston Villa identify "brilliant" £30m talent as ideal replacement for Jacob Ramsey

Aston Villa are preparing to battle it out with European giants Manchester United and Real Madrid for the signature of Stade Rennais' teenage sensation Desire Doue. The 18-year-old French midfielder has been turning heads with his impressive performances in Ligue 1 this season, prompting Villa to join the race for his services.

Doue's meteoric rise has seen him become a regular starter for Rennes, making 17 starts in the French top-flight and contributing four goals and four assists. His technical prowess, athleticism, and defensive work rate have earned him praise from talent scouts, with Jacek Kulig describing him as "one of the leaders of a great French generation."

Villa scouts have been closely monitoring the versatile attacking midfielder, with Rennes valuing their rising star at around €35m (£30m). Despite facing fierce competition, manager Unai Emery is determined to bring Doue to Villa Park as he looks to bolster his squad ahead of the club's return to the Champions League.

According to FBref, Doue ranks among the top performers in his position across Europe's top five leagues in several key metrics. He is in the top 7% for progressive passes, top 6% for successful take-ons, top 15% for tackles, top 6% for interceptions, and top 3% for blocks per 90 minutes, highlighting his well-rounded skill set.

Aston Villa's interest in Doue comes amidst speculation over the future of their own young star, Jacob Ramsey. The 22-year-old, who typically operates on the left flank or in central midfield, has attracted interest from Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur. With concerns that Villa may need to cash in on Ramsey to comply with financial fair play rules, Doue could prove to be an ideal replacement.

Ramsey's potential transfer value is estimated at around £50m, and reinvesting a portion of those funds in Doue could be a shrewd piece of business for Villa. The French prodigy's left-sided proclivity and dynamic playing style make him a perfect fit to fill the void left by Ramsey, should he depart.

Emery is keen to add quality and depth to his squad as Villa prepare for the challenges of competing on multiple fronts next season. While the club is close to signing experienced midfielder Ross Barkley, the pursuit of younger talents like Doue demonstrates their ambition to build for the future.

Aston Villa will be hoping to fend off competition from Europe's elite to secure the services of Desire Doue. The £30m-rated prodigy could prove to be a key piece in Emery's puzzle as he looks to establish Villa as a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League and beyond.

The battle for Doue's signature is set to intensify in the coming weeks, with Villa facing stiff competition from Manchester United and Real Madrid. However, the Midlands club will be hoping that the promise of regular first-team football and the opportunity to work under the guidance of Unai Emery will be enough to sway the young Frenchman in their favour.