Barcelona have reportedly set their sights on Jeremy Doku, with the 19-year-old being considered as a long-term replacement for Ousmane Dembele.
According to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Jeremy Doku has popped up on the radar of Barcelona over a possible move in next summer’s transfer window. The 19-year-old Rennes attacker is being viewed as a long-term replacement for Ousmane Dembele.
Jeremy Doku is widely regarded as one of the most promising young players in Ligue 1, having made quite an impression since joining Stade Rennais from Anderlecht in the summer of 2020. An impressive campaign at the UEFA Euro 2020 with Belgium further boosted his stock, helping him emerge on the radars of some of the biggest clubs in the world.
The 2021/22 season has not been one to remember thus far for the 19-year-old, who has only made four appearances for Rennes before being sidelined by a knee injury. However, the player’s layoff has not affected prospective suitors, with Barcelona now joining the race to sign him.
The Catalan giants are touted to be in the market for a wide attacker amid the uncertainties surrounding the future of Ousmane Dembele. The French international is in the final year of his contract with Barcelona and is no closer to putting pen to a new deal.
With several clubs, including Liverpool, hot on his trail, there is a chance that Dembele could leave Barcelona as a free agent next summer. Such a situation would prompt the Blaugrana to enter the transfer market for a wide attacker, making Doku a viable target.
Apart from the 19-year-old Belgian winger, Artur Victor Guimaraes is another name that features prominently on Barcelona’s wishlist. However, Doku is particularly viewed as a long-term replacement for Dembele, keeping next summer’s transfer window in mind.
Barcelona are not the only big-name suitor in pursuit of Doku, though. Liverpool and Real Madrid are also heavily linked with him. Meanwhile, the La Liga heavyweights’ priority remains to secure the long-term future of Dembele, and it will be interesting to see if they are forced into the market for a replacement, with the 19-year-old Rennes forward being their primary option in such a scenario.
