Manchester City have agreed a £55.5m deal to sign Rennes winger Jeremy Doku, who is is expected to travel to the northwest on Tuesday to undergo a medical.
The Belgium international has been linked with a number of Premier League teams this summer and is now set to join the champions.
Man City are looking for a winger to replace Riyad Mahrez, who left for Saudi Arabia in the wake of City’s treble-winning season.
Should Doku complete the move to the Etihad Stadium, he will become Pep Guardiola’s third summer recruit in this transfer window, after Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol.
Doku scored for Rennes in their opening Ligue 1 game against Metz, following on from the six league goals he netted last season.
Doku profile: What will he bring to Man City?
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French football expert Tom Williams says Rennes winger Jeremy Doku has ‘limitless potential’ and will bring something new to Manchester City.
French football expert Tom Williams told Sky Sports:
“It is a lot of money for a young player who is still in the early stages of his career, but in terms of raw materials, you’ve got everything you could possibly want from an attacking player.
“Doku is absolutely rapid and beats players for fun. His stats in terms of goals and assists maybe aren’t where they could be but under a coach like Pep Guardiola you assume they will only get better. He has almost limitless potential.
“It’s a lot of money but you can understand why Manchester City feel he is the man to bring in.
“He’s a different kind of attacking player that Guardiola has at his disposal as he’s very quick and is a bit of a throwback winger. He can play on the left and on the right, where he is likely to feature more often for City.
“As a predominantly right-footed player he’s not someone who would then cut in field. He’s more about beating a full-back on the outside and getting to the byline to provide the cut-backs. He’d bring a pace, a directness and a dribbling ability that City don’t have in their squad currently.”
What does this mean for Cole Palmer?
Stay or go? A crucial few weeks lie ahead for Manchester City winger Cole Palmer, weeks that could define how far his blossoming career will go.
The 21-year-old has certainly showcased his talents in City blue this season, scoring his side’s goals in their Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup games this month.
Cole Palmer celebrates after breaking the deadlock in the Community Shield with a stunning strike
Add in his role in helping England’s U21 side to a European Championship triumph earlier this summer and it’s clear Palmer has the winning touch about him.
But with both the player and manager Pep Guardiola casting doubts about the winger’s future, will that winning aura be with City, or another team?
After all, Palmer has played 10 minutes of Premier League football for City in their opening two matches of the current campaign.
There is no doubt in the player’s mind about what the ideal option is this summer: to stay put and play.
“Obviously the best scenario is to stay at City and play,” Palmer said after Man City’s Super Cup win. “But obviously you know what the competition is like, if they bring someone in…”
But now City look to turn to Doku – and with West Ham interested in the 21-year-old – is this the moment where Palmer turns round and says enough is enough?
PSG give up on Bernardo pursuit
Bernardo Silva looks set to stay at Man City
Paris Saint-Germain have given up trying to sign Bernardo Silva from Manchester City this summer.
The 29-year-old had been one of their top targets and the French champions believe they were close to a deal, but they now accept and respect the fact that the player is not for sale.
They expect the Portugal international to sign a new City contract with Silva having two years left on his current City deal.
On Saturday, City boss Pep Guardiola said it was his “dream” to see Silva and Kyle Walker sign new City contracts.
PSG sporting director Luis Campos knows Silva well and they worked together at Monaco.
Laporte set for City exit to Al Nassr
Aymeric Laporte is set to leave Man City
Man City defender Aymeric Laporte is expected to complete a transfer to Al Nassr.
The clubs have agreed a deal worth £25m for the 29-year-old, who joined City from Athletic Bilbao in a £57m deal in January 2018.
The Spaniard will undergo a medical next and terms on a three-year deal are ready to sign.
Follow the summer transfer window with Sky Sports
Who will be on the move this summer ahead of the transfer window closing at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland?
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports’ digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
