Borussia Dortmund have signed Arsenal winger Ethan Nwaneri on a season-long loan, while Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen have completed a deal for Strasbourg full-back Guela Doue.
Nwaneri, 19, will spend the duration of the campaign with Dortmund, who moved for the England Under-21 international after losing Giannis Konstantelias to a serious injury in their opening-day victory over Hamburg.
The injury has left Borussia Dortmund needing another wide player, and Nwaneri will now provide an option in that area of the squad. The Arsenal player spent part of last season on loan at Marseille before returning to his parent club.
He has made 37 appearances for Arsenal, including 26 in the Premier League. His temporary move to Germany gives him the opportunity to continue his development with Dortmund while competing in the Bundesliga.
Dortmund have therefore added Nwaneri to their squad as they respond to the early-season setback involving Konstantelias. The loan agreement covers the full season, with the teenager now set to continue his career in Germany after his spell in France last term.
Leverkusen have also strengthened their squad by signing Doue from Strasbourg. The defender was regarded as a sought-after full-back and had attracted interest from Everton and Paris Saint-Germain before agreeing to move to the Bundesliga.
Doue has signed a five-year contract with Bayer Leverkusen. The German club have reportedly agreed to pay €30m up front for the transfer, with a further €6m available through add-ons.
The Ivory Coast international said the conversations with Leverkusen had convinced him that the move was the right next step in his career.
“I spent two wonderful years in France with Strasbourg,” said Doue.
“But now I want to take the step into the Bundesliga and join a club that really impressed me during our talks. The team is talented and has so many great footballers – I am incredibly excited to play alongside these guys.”
Doue represented Ivory Coast at the World Cup and enjoyed a productive season with Strasbourg before his transfer. He made 34 appearances for the French club last season, scoring two goals and supplying seven assists.
His arrival strengthens a Leverkusen side that have moved decisively to secure a player who had also been monitored by clubs outside Germany. Doue’s long-term agreement keeps him at Bayer Leverkusen for five years, while the reported structure of the deal could take the total fee to €36m if all the additional payments are triggered.
The moves involving Nwaneri and Doue provide fresh Bundesliga business for two clubs who have been active in addressing their respective squad needs. Dortmund have brought in a winger following Konstantelias’ injury, while Leverkusen have completed the signing of one of Strasbourg’s highly rated defenders.
