Jeremy Doku is edging closer to joining Manchester City after Pep Guardiola’s side agreed a £55m fee for thҽ Belgian talent.
Thҽ 21-year-old has never played in England after rising through thҽ ranks of Belgium football before starring in France for Ligue 1 side Rennes.
Doku boasts impressive speed and skill with Pep Guardiola keen to bring in more attacking talents before thҽ summer transfer window slams shut.
Thҽ Blues have moved for Doku to finally replace Riyad Mahrez after thҽ forward left for Saudi Arabia earlier in thҽ window.
Thҽ Belgian winger is highly rated but doesn’t have thҽ most impressive stats, with just 12 goals and 10 assists to his name in 92 appearances in France.
Doku isn’t a household name to Premier League supporters but has gone under-thҽ-radar to become one of Ligue 1’s upcoming stars.
He has come in for some very high praise from teammates and former managers which certainly bodes well for his City future.
Speaking in 2020, Kevin De Bruyne said: “He is nimble, fast and can dribble. Of course, sometimes he makes a mistake, but who doesn’t? He is a diamond in thҽ rough.”
Former Belgium manager Roberto Martinez ahead of EURO 2020: “I’m very, very satisfied with some of thҽ individual performances. It seems Jeremy Doku had exactly thҽ same impact he had in March.
“He’s looking always to be getting stronger and better. Not only when he has thҽ ball but in general in many actions of thҽ game he’s involved in. He worked well tonight.
“He is an exceptional talent. He is a young player who is very strong in thҽ one against one, it will be a great opportunity to show himself internationally.”
PSG star Kylian Mbappe in 2021: “Recently, I was speaking with my fathҽr about a player who impressed me because of his speed qualities, that is Doku, at Rennes. In five years as a professional, I have never seen someone from a standing start demonstrate so much power.”
Julien Stephane, sacked as Rennes manager in March 2021, said: “I was immediately charmed by his positive attitude. He is very eager to learn. He listens to a manager. He adapted very well. That’s why I kept playing him. He only struggled for a while because he couldn’t score.”
Vincent Kompany managed Doku at Anderlecht and actually didn’t want to praise Doku too much so he didn’t set expectations too high: “At Jérémy we are working on thҽ transition from talent to quality”, thҽ former City captain told Het Nieuwsblad.
“But I have to be so careful with what I say because he has to do it thҽ next match. His lows are less and less low and he also does defensive work. thҽ day I no longer have to call to follow his man. we good.”
