From Fabrizio Romano: Manchester City reach agreement over €60 million deal for Belgium international forward

Stade Rennais and Manchester City have reached a total agreement over the transfer of Jeremy Doku in a package worth a reported €60 million.

The Premier League champions have been on the search for a new forward for a couple of months now, after sanctioning the sale of Riyad Mahrez to Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli last month in a deal worth in the region of £30 million.

The search for a new wide winger may have taken longer than expected, but it now appears as though Pep Guardiola will have his new recruit in place for the trip to Sheffield United on Sunday afternoon.

As per a number of sources across the course of Monday evening, Manchester City have a deal totally agreed with Ligue 1 side Rennes over the transfer of Belgium international winger Jeremy Doku.

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City and Stade Rennais have reached an agreement over a package worth €60 million, with medical tests scheduled with the Premier League champions later this week.

In additional details highlighted by Sacha Tavolieri, it is stated that the 21-year-old will fly to Manchester on Tuesday with medical testing scheduled across the course of Wednesday alongside final signature on a five-year deal.

RSC Anderlecht are also claimed to be eligible to 20% of the profit made on Jeremy Doku at Stade Rennais, following their sale of the forward to the French club in October 2020 for a reported €26 million.

Tavolieri highlights that while there had been interest from West Ham United, Jeremy Doku had only ever wanted to join Manchester City, and club officials wanted to find out the right ‘convincing price’ before sending a first official offer.

Manchester City appear to have also briefed the media on the finances of an agreed transfer, with Simon Bajkowski and Jack Gaughan reporting €65 million and £55 million fees respectively on Monday afternoon.

It currently remains unknown as to whether Doku will be available for Manchester City in their upcoming Premier League game against Sheffield United, however the signing is integral for Pep Guardiola and his options available throughout the season.

Sky Sports have highlighted that should Jeremy Doku’s arrival and signing for the treble winners be completed by midday on Friday afternoon, then he will be eligible to make his debut for the club at Bramall Lane.

The signing of the Belgium international will spark further questions over the future of Cole Palmer, who has been strongly linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium in search of more consistent game-time and increased development.

However, Pep Guardiola confirmed during a recent press conference that should Palmer leave the Etihad Stadium in the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window, then a deal would be that of a permanent exit as opposed to a temporary agreement.

The City academy graduate is attracting interest from Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, as well as West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion from the Premier League, however Etihad officials’ valuation exceeding £30 million may be problematic for some potential suitors.