Manchester City have a new winger. The high transfer fee for Jeremy Doku (21) is above all an investment in the potential of the Belgian.
Probably no player had kept Italy’s outstanding defence on its toes during Euro 2021 as much as Jeremy Doku. It was the narrow loss in the quarter-finals against the eventual title holders that saw the star rise for the then 19-year-old Belgian, who no one had suspected would be in the starting line-up that night. The little winger whirled, tricked, scored a penalty – and disappeared from the big stage after the narrow defeat.
Doku is back there now. The reigning Champions League winners Manchester City have signed the 21-year-old on a five-year contract to compensate for the departure of Riyad Mahrez to Saudi Arabia. According to consistent media reports, the English top-flight club will transfer a transfer fee of around 60 million euros to Stade Rennes, where Doku has been under contract for the past three years.
“This is a great day for me, both on a personal and professional level,” Doku is quoted as saying on the club’s website. “Manchester City is the best team in the world. For me to be able to join them is very special for me and my family. “
The Bretons had brought Doku from Anderlecht in 2020 for the then club record transfer fee of 26 million euros, now he also becomes the most expensive sale of the club, which had produced talents like Ousmane Dembelé, Eduardo Camavinga or Mathys Tel in the past years.
A package of pace, technique and impact
The Citizens’ big investment is one in Doku’s potential – for his time at Rennes had been mixed compared to expectations. He was repeatedly set back by injuries, and only in the final spurt of last season did he unleash his talents with seven goals in the last eight league games. He also scored directly at the start of the new Ligue 1 season. While his consistency still leaves something to be desired, on a good day the winger, who weighs just 61 kilos, displays a package of pace, technique and power that few players can match – and could also be an attraction in the Premier League.
While Rennes have to let go of their next key player after Lovro Majer (to VfL Wolfsburg), City have filled the position at right-back. Most recently, Pep Guardiola only had two genuine wingers at his disposal in Phil Foden and Jack Grealish – both of whom prefer to operate on the left. The future of homegrown Cole Palmer, who played on the right in the Supercup against Sevilla, is also still unclear. Due to the thin personnel cover, Doku could quickly get some time on the field.