Premier League champions Manchester City have moved to replace former star man Riyad Mahrez after reaching a full agreement with Stade Rennais for Belgian international starlet Jérémy Doku.
The 21-year-old Antwerp-born winger looks set to arrive at the Etihad after Mahrez’s departure from the recent treble winners, despite the recent emergence of academy product Cole Palmer to open the 2023-24 season.
Per an update provided by football insider Fabrizio Romano after reports earlier this morning that detailed the growing feeling that City was getting closer to agreeing to a deal for the player after submitting a new recent package worth €60m, Doku is now set to have his medical this week after also agreeing personal terms ahead of a long-term contract with the English hegemon.
Doku’s star has risen rapidly since his arrival in Ligue 1 from RSC Anderlecht during the 2020-21 season and developed year after year across a three-year stint in Brittany, hitting a career-best 6 goals in the 2022-23 season for Rennes.
Interest in Doku heated up of late after Mahrez’s departure, but also a long-term injury to Kevin De Bruyne, who is likely to be replaced in the preferred XI by Phil Foden - who has an excellent showing against Newcastle United at the weekend - has meant that City are thin on attacking options under Pep Guardiola.
Though Doku’s end-product can certainly be called into question given the fee involved and his output seen at Rennes, his potential is undeniable, and the way City has developed younger players of late, this could be a masterstroke should he settle to live in the northwest of England.
