Tottenham came close to landing wonderkid last summer, now he’s a £42m Champions League star

Tottenham secured the signatures of some exciting young talents last summer.

Ange Postecoglou welcomed Archie Gray to N17 in a £30m move from Leeds – while Wilson Odobert arrived from Burnley and Lucas Bergvall linked up with the squad too.

Tottenham fans seem to adore Bergvall – and while Odobert has struggled with injuries, Gray has shone as a makeshift defender, despite being a midfielder by trade.

However, there was another top talent Spurs were trying to sign in Desire Doue – someone who is now shining in the UEFA Champions League with PSG.

When Tottenham tried to sign Desire Doue

Sources told TBR Football back in July 2024 that Tottenham really wanted to sign Doue from Rennes.

The Angers-born wonderkid then added fuel to the fire, following Joe Rodon on Instagram while also beginning to take English lessons.

However, Doue eventually joined PSG in a €50m (£42m) move – where he is now thriving.

Anybody who watched PSG knock Liverpool out of the UEFA Champions League at Anfield on Tuesday will have noticed the 19-year-old sensation.

Doue was introduced by Luis Enrique in place of Bradley Barcola in the 67th minute, and proceeded to play a key role in the Parisians upsetting Liverpool.

The France U21 international went extremely close to beating Alisson Becker on two occasions with devilishly curled efforts, showing quick feet to bamboozle the side currently sat 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	29	21	7	1	69	27	42	70
2	ArsenalArsenal	28	15	10	3	52	24	28	55
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	28	15	6	7	45	33	12	51
4	ChelseaChelsea	28	14	7	7	53	36	17	49

Doue could not get that vital second goal for PSG – but the teenager showed real maturity to step up and dispatch the winning penalty in the shootout, showing Tottenham what they could have signed last summer.

Across all competitions this season, the Frenchman has seven goals and 11 assists to his name in 38 appearances so far.

Wilson Odobert could be as good as Desire Doue, for all we know

Spurs fans will obviously be looking over at the Parc des Princes feeling a tad envious of Doue, but for all they know, Odobert could be just as big a talent.

The 20-year-old has only managed to make seven Premier League appearances this season due to a hamstring injury, so it is hard to properly judge the £25m arrival from Burnley.

Postecoglou is “genuinely excited” about Odobert – at least – so patience should be afforded to the young Frenchman.