Transfer Centre

Manchester City 'make verbal offer for Jeremy Doku'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 21 August 2023

Man City 'make verbal offer for Jeremy Doku'

Manchester City reportedly up their efforts to sign Rennes winger Jeremy Doku by making a verbal offer for the Belgium international.

Manchester City have reportedly informed Rennes that they are ready to agree a deal for winger Jeremy Doku.

With less than two weeks remaining of the summer transfer window, the Premier League champions are in the market for at least one new attacking player.

That is a consequence of Riyad Mahrez having moved to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli and Kevin De Bruyne suffering a hamstring injury that will keep him sidelined until the end of 2023.

Furthermore, the future of Cole Palmer remains up in the air despite the academy graduate scoring in both the Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup since the beginning of the month.

City have still been able to start their top-flight campaign with victories over Burnley and Newcastle United, yet Pep Guardiola is eager to add numbers to his squad.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates after winning the UEFA Super Cup on August 16, 2023 © Reuters

For a number of weeks, reports have indicated that Doku has been identified as one of City's preferred replacements for Mahrez, despite the wideman arguably not living up to his potential with Rennes.

In just under three years at the Ligue 1 outfit, 31 of Doku's 75 appearances in the French top flight have come from the substitutes' bench, with 10 goals and seven assists being contributed from those outings.

Nevertheless, the 21-year-old scored in Rennes' 2023-24 opener against Metz, while he was introduced as a second-half substitute in the 1-1 draw with Lens at the weekend.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, City are looking to ensure that the latter fixture is Doku's last for Rennes by indicating that they are willing to make a big-money offer.

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola on June 10, 2023 © Reuters

City have allegedly told their counterparts at the French outfit that they are willing to put together a proposal worth at least €55m (£47m) to get a deal over the line.

With Doku having less than two years left on his contract and seemingly not interested in a renewal, the verbal offer is said to be under consideration.

Romano adds that other clubs are interested in Doku, but the player has already agreed personal terms ahead of a potential switch to the Etihad Stadium.

Chelsea have been linked with a switch for the Belgium international and have already done business with Rennes this summer in acquiring the signature of Lesley Ugochukwu.