Manchester City set for further reinforcement as transfer plans outlined after Jeremy Doku agreement

Manchester City will continue their search for a new midfielder after Kevin De Bruyne’s hamstring injury once they secure the arrival of Jeremy Doku, as per reports.

The treble winners have reached an agreement worth £55.4 million for the Rennes winger, who is set to join up with Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad as a replacement for Riyad Mahrez, who joined Al-Ahli in July.

Doku is expected to arrive in Manchester on Tuesday evening and will undergo a medical on Wednesday before an official announcement, which is likely to come in time for the Belgian to be available for City’s league meeting against Sheffield United on Sunday.

City have made a positive start to their title defence but lost Kevin De Bruyne to a hamstring injury in their Premier League opener against Burnley.

The 32-year-old has since undergone surgery and is expected to be on the sidelines until the New Year, with City needing immediate reinforcement in the position after Ilkay Gundogan joined Barcelona on a free transfer in June.

West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta was a priority target for Manchester City but there are major doubts about the Blues’ pursuit of the Brazilian, who is facing an FA probe on potential betting breaches in Brazil.

Assuming the signing goes through, Doku will be confirmed as a Manchester City’s third signing of the summer later this week, following Croatian duo Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol.

According to Rob Dawson of ESPN, Manchester City will continue their search of a midfielder in light of De Bruyne’s long-term absence once they wrap up the signing of Doku.

Florian Wirtz and Dani Olmo are two names mentioned this week, though it remains unclear at present who Manchester City will identify as their ideal man to bolster Guardiola’s options in the middle of the park.