Transfer Centre

Jeremy Doku 'to undergo Manchester City medical ahead of £55.5m transfer'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 22 August 2023

Doku 'to undergo Man City medical ahead of £55.5m transfer'

Jeremy Doku will reportedly travel to the North West on Tuesday to undergo his Manchester City medical ahead of completing his £55.5m transfer from Rennes.

Reports emerged on Monday evening that the two teams had come to an agreement over a transfer fee, and the 21-year-old is understood to have already agreed personal terms.

Doku has been identified as Man City's primary target to replace Riyad Mahrez, who decided to end his five-year association with the Citizens to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli earlier this summer.

A week after his man-of-the-match display in Rennes' 5-1 win over Metz in Ligue 1, Doku was named on the substitutes' bench for the 1-1 draw with Lens on Sunday, with manager Bruno Genesio hinting after the game that the winger could be heading to the Premier League champions.

"If he didn't start when he was our best player last week, I'll let you draw the conclusions. Nothing has been done, however," Genesio told Prime Video Sport France.

Stade Rennes' Jeremy Doku walks off the pitch to be substituted after sustaining an injury as referee Eric Wattellier and Benjamin Bourigeaud look on on March 5, 2023 © Reuters

Now that Man City have allegedly reached an agreement with Rennes to sign Doku, Sky Sports News reports that the winger is expected to travel to the North West on Tuesday to undergo his medical and finalise his transfer to the Etihad Stadium.

A separate report from Daily Mail journalist Jack Gaughan states that Doku could be available to make his Man City debut in Sunday's Premier League clash against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

The likes of West Ham United and Chelsea has expressed their interest on Doku this summer, with the former understood to have seen a formal offer turned down by Rennes last week.

However, Doku is believed to have his heart set on playing for Pep Guardiola's treble winners after spending the last three years at Rennes.

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

Doku has developed into one of the brightest prospects in Ligue 1 since joining Rennes from Anderlecht for around £22m in the summer of 2020.

The Belgian has contributed with 12 goals and 10 assists in 92 appearances for Les Rouge et Noir across all competitions, including seven goals and four assists in 37 matches last season.

Doku is known for his electric pace and skillful dribbling ability, and he successfully completed more take-ons (105) than any other player in Ligue 1 during the 2022-23 campaign.

Should Doku finalise his move to the Etihad, he will become Man City's third signing of the summer transfer window after Croatian duo Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol.

Guardiola is also keen to recruit a new midfielder, but talks over a deal for Lucas Paqueta have been placed on hold as the West Ham star is being investigated by FIFA and the Football Association over alleged betting breaches.