Newcastle United are reportedly scouting exciting Stade Rennais winger Jeremy Doku ahead of a potential swoop for the Belgian wonderkid this summer.
According to Chronicle Live, Newcastle United are considering a summer move for 19-year-old Belgian sensation Jeremy Doku from Stade Rennais.
The Toon enjoyed a successful January transfer window, bringing in five new players, and their fortunes on the pitch have also improved. The Magpies are now out of the relegation zone following three league wins in a row. Their Saudi-backed owners are expected to invest heavily once again ahead of the new season should the team retain their Premier League status.
With the Newcastle hierarchy aiming to assemble a competent, youthful team capable of contesting for major honours in the future, they will look to strengthen in every position across the pitch. Another forward could be in Eddie Howe’s plans after failing to land either of Hugo Ekitike and Jesse Lingard last month. The latest name popping up on Newcastle’s radar is Rennes winger Jeremy Doku.
Regarded as one of the most promising up-and-coming young attackers in Ligue 1, Doku rose through the ranks at RSC Anderlecht and had his breakthrough season with the Belgian outfit before joining the French side to get regular first-team football, snubbing strong interest from Liverpool at the time.
The teenager had a decent debut season at the French club, producing a return of 2 goals and 4 assists in 37 appearances across all competitions last season. While these numbers may not appear impressive, it is his searing pace, trickery and menace that is turning many heads on the continent.
The Belgium international surged into the spotlight at Euro 2020 with several exhilarating displays and earned deserved plaudits. However, the teenage attacker has endured a tough season at Rennes, with hamstring and knee injuries so far limiting him to just 12 appearances during the 2021/22 campaign.
He has previously drawn interest from some of the biggest clubs across Europe, including Liverpool, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich. Now, Newcastle have also joined the fray, with Magpies’ head of recruitment Steve Nickson keeping close tabs on the talented winger.
Given their recent links to Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, it is clear that Howe wants to add more dynamism and pace to his attacking line to reduce the creative burden on their talisman Allan Saint-Maximin and make Newcastle’s attack more unpredictable and lethal.
Doku could be a fantastic signing for the Toon and a clear statement of intent from the club’s new owners. He has primarily been utilized as a right-winger but is versatile enough to operate on the left flank if needed. Standing at 5ft 7in, he has electrifying speed, balance and dribbling ability. He is still raw and needs to improve on his end product, but at just 19 years old, he has loads of untapped potential.
The 19-year-old is under contract at Roazhon Park until 2025 and is rated at £22 million. His recent injury history is likely to be Newcastle’s only source of concern, but if he lives up to his potential, he could prove to be an absolute steal. Whether the Magpies will roll the dice for Doku come this summer remains to be seen.
