Manchester City identify second winger target alongside Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise

Officials from the Etihad Stadium have now identified a second possible wide attacking target for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City squad, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Premier League champions are expected to step up their pursuit of a new wide attacking player once they have successfully negotiated a deal for Croatia international central defender Josko Gvardiol.

The RB Leipzig star is expected to finalise a move to Manchester City in the coming days ahead, despite recent frustrations from the side of the German club over bonuses being included into the deal.

As City continue to construct their priority list of winger targets alongside their advancing negotiations for Gvardiol, a new name has now emerged in reports on the situation at the Etihad Stadium.

According to an exclusive report from transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City have now added Rennes and Belgium international winger Jeremy Doku to their list of possible replacements for Riyad Mahrez – who left the club for Al Ahli last month.

It is detailed that alongside Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise, who is also a target for Chelsea this summer, 21-year-old Doku has become one of the ‘priority names’ being considered by the Premier League and Champions League holders.

Further reporting from Belgian football journalist Sacha Tavolieri goes on to reveal that City are ‘the most concrete possibility’ for Doku at the moment, with it further explained that talks are on and have intensified this week.

However, at this moment in time, the report clarifies that there is no offer and no negotiations with Stade Rennais at present.

Manchester City are understood to have outlined a strict budget when it comes to the Crystal Palace forward, with a report from The Athletic stating that Txiki Begiristain and his colleagues will be unwilling to exceed the £50 million mark for the France international.

That figure may be problematic for the Selhurst Park club, especially given the recent exit of Wilfried Zaha on a free transfer, and the possibility of a greater offer from fellow London club Chelsea alongside City.

Manchester City are also just days out from their first competitive fixture of the 2023/24 season, as they take on Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon in the FA Community Shield.