Tottenham fans can be forgiven for wondering what might have been as Desire Doue played a pivotal role for Paris Saint-Germain in their stunning Champions League final success against Inter Milan.
Doue was the star of the show in Munich as sublime PSG utterly dismantled the three-time winners 5-0 at the Allianz Arena, recording the biggest-ever win in the showpiece game of European football’s elite club competition.
It was one of the greatest and most dominant Champions League final performances ever witnessed from PSG, who also finally ended their long wait for success on the continental stage having coveted it for so many years and lost to Bayern Munich on their only previous appearance in the final back in 2020.
Luis Enrique is only the sixth manager ever to win the Champions League with two different clubs and was deservedly showered with praise on an emotional night along with so many of his players, backing top scorer Ousmane Dembele to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or award.
However, most of the post-game celebrations rightly centred on Doue, who was virtually unplayable in a magical display as he lit up the final with a goal in either half following an early assist for Achraf Hakimi’s opening goal that set the tone for the night after just 12 minutes.
Doue - who turns 20 on Tuesday - was just the third teenager ever to score in the Champions League final and his latest phenomenal display to cap a remarkable season led to Rio Ferdinand suggesting that he will join Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal, 17, as long-term successors to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the pinnacle of the game.
It has been a tremendous first campaign at PSG for Doue, who had showcased his significant potential in nearly 80 appearances for first club Rennes before being signed by their French rivals in a €50million (£42.1m) deal last August.
He has since registered 15 goals and 16 assists in 54 total appearances across all competitions, winning a first senior international cap for France and further embellishing his reputation as one of the world’s top young talents as part of a devastating PSG attack alongside Dembele, January signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola, with whom he often rotates on the left flank.
But things could have been very different this season for Doue, who was on the radar of most of Europe’s top clubs last summer after his fine form at Rennes.
Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern Munich were all linked with the precocious teenager at one stage or another, though it was Tottenham who looked to get the closest with Doue reportedly even visiting their Hotspur Way training ground before eventually opting to stay in France with PSG.
Spurs instead bolstered their wide options with the surprise £25m signing of Doue’s compatriot Wilson Odobert, who flashed glimpses of potential after joining from relegated Burnley but was restricted to just 22 appearances across all competitions due to injury and made only nine starts in the Premier League.
Et si on se partageait une nouvelle dose de bonheur ? ❤️💙
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) June 1, 2025
Le 𝗠𝗩𝗣 de cette #UCLfinal messieurs-dames 🤩🔥 pic.twitter.com/om2mMsm9U5
Tottenham also agreed with RB Leipzig to extend the loan spell of former Chelsea forward Timo Werner, though he very much flattered to deceive, faced public criticism from manager Ange Postecoglou and scored just once in 27 appearances, starting four top-flight games in total this season - the last of which was in February, with Werner also struggling with injury.
Spurs - who did at least get a good return on their £65m outlay on England striker Dominic Solanke as they lifted the Europa League against Manchester United in Bilbao to end their 17-year wait for a major trophy - went on to sign Bayern Munich’s French forward Mathys Tel on loan in January with the option for a permanent summer transfer, though it remains to be seen if that clause will be triggered after he scored only three times in 20 outings in north London.
