The report reveals that then-sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic and technical director Marco Neppe had the Stade Rennes attacker in their sights during that period and were planning a winter move. The pair attended Europa League matchday to scout the winger in person, watching him at Villarreal's ground during Rennes' 1-0 defeat.
Doué, now 20, was one of the most coveted young wingers in Europe at the time, and his rapid development at Rennes had attracted attention from the continent's biggest clubs.
The move never materialised for a specific reason: Salihamidzic had already used the available offensive budget that summer to bring Mathys Tel, then 19, to Bayern Munich from the same club. With the slot filled and no financial headroom remaining to pursue a second Rennes talent in January, the interest in Doué was quietly shelved.
Doué subsequently signed for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024, choosing them ahead of Bayern, who were among the clubs competing for his signature in that window.
The revelation adds detail to one of the more striking transfer misses of recent years for the Bavarians, who might now look back on both decisions — the Tel acquisition and the failure to return for Doué — with a degree of scrutiny given the paths both players have taken since.