Rennes winger Jeremy Doku has reportedly agreed personal terms with Manchester City ahead of a proposed move to the Etihad Stadium.
The 21-year-old has emerged as a top target for the Citizens this summer following the departure of winger Riyad Mahrez to Al-Ahli.
Doku has scored 12 goals and registered 10 assists in 91 appearances for Rennes since joining the club from Anderlecht three years ago, including seven goals and four assists in 37 games last season.
The 14-cap Belgium international has made a bright start to the 2023-24 Ligue 1 campaign, scoring in a match-of-the-match display in Rennes' 5-1 home victory over Metz last Sunday.
Rennes manager Bruno Genesio commented after the game about Doku's future and admitted that the highly-rated winger could leave the club this summer if they receive a significant offer that is deemed too good to turn down.
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Doku has two years remaining on his contract at Roazhon Park and is believed to be valued by Rennes in the region of €50m (£42.8m).
According to Get French Football News, Man City have made progress in their pursuit of Doku as they have reached an agreement with the player over a five-year contract.
However, the report adds that the treble winners face competition for the winger's signature from West Ham United, who have submitted a verbal offer to Rennes for the youngster.
Despite the Hammers' attempts to hijack Man City's deal, it is understood that Doku is in favour of moving to the Etihad Stadium this summer.
Man City are soon expected to enter talks with Rennes and submit a formal offer of their own for the winger, but it remains to be seen whether their first bid will match the value of West Ham's opening proposal.
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Doku is not the only attacker on Pep Guardiola's radar, as they also believed to be interested in RB Leipzig's Dani Olmo, who recently scored an impressive hat-trick in the 3-0 German Super Cup triumph over Bayern Munich.
Journalist Gianluca Di Marzio claims that Man City are keeping tabs on the 25-year-old, but they currently view him as an ideal replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, who is ruled out for up to four months with a hamstring injury.
Lyon's Bradley Barcola and Crystal Palace's Michael Olise are also of interest to the Citizens, although the latter is seemingly edging closer to joining Chelsea for around £35m.
Meanwhile, Man City are expected to table an improved offer for West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta, who is believed to be valued by the Hammers at around £95m.
Oliver Thomas
