Barcelona will reportedly rival Manchester City in the race to sign 21-year-old Belgian winger Jeremy Doku from Ligue 1 club Rennes.
According to reputed Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Jeremy Doku is the subject of interest from Barcelona. The reigning La Liga champions are competing with Manchester City in the race to sign the 21-year-old. And the English heavyweights are currently the front-runners to land the young winger from Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais.
Jeremy Doku has established himself as one of the most promising young wingers in the world. The Belgian international passed through the academies at four clubs in his homeland before graduating from the RSC Anderlecht youth division. And he took the next step in his career three years ago, joining Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais.
The 21-year-old has not made his mark as well as he would have liked, with fitness issues also plaguing him. And Doku has only nine goals and seven assists in 73 Ligue 1 appearances thus far. But the youngster’s stock remains high, with high-profile clubs across Europe closely monitoring his progress. Barcelona and Manchester City are two of his suitors.
Manchester City first entered the chase for Doku’s signature this week. And after parting ways with Riyad Mahrez, the Premier League champions need a replacement. The Belgian winger is thus a viable target for Manchester City. And Sacha Tavolieri has claimed that they are the front-runners to land him.
🔵⚪️ #ManchesterCity's the most concrete possibility for Jeremy #Doku at this moment. Talks are 🔛 & intensified this week but NO offer, NO negociations as of now with Stade Rennais. #SRFC
🔴🔵 #FCBarcelona following the Skyblues just behind for the Belgian Red Devil with a… pic.twitter.com/SDeIG0xMD9— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) August 1, 2023
While Doku has not exploded onto the scene, Pep Guardiola tends to harness every ounce of potential from his charges. But while Manchester City might be in the pole position to sign the 21-year-old, Barcelona will give the English heavyweights a run for their money.
Barcelona will soon part ways with Ousmane Dembele, who has agreed to join Paris Saint-Germain. The Frenchman’s departure will leave a gaping hole of quality in the Barcelona attack. So the reigning La Liga champions will have to dip their toes in the market for a replacement. And Doku is an option worth considering.
But with the youngster’s contract still having two years left to run out, Rennes will likely demand a premium to sell him. And Barcelona will unlikely match the Ligue 1 club’s valuation, considering the never-ending financial issues. So Manchester City should be at the front of the queue to secure Doku’s services.
