Manchester City have added Rennes winger Jeremy Doku to their shortlist as they look to sign a replacement for Riyad Mahrez.
Fabrizio Romano recently reported on Twitter that Manchester City now have Jeremy Doku, alongside Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise, on their radar following Mahrez’s move to Saudi Arabia.
The Algerian joined Al-Ahli last month, leaving room for another winger in the Premier League champions’ squad.
Pep Guardiola has not been too busy this transfer window, bringing in just Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea so far.
However, with Mahrez departing, it looks like a new wide man, such as Doku, could join the 29-year-old at the Etihad before the transfer window closes.
Jeremy Doku has impressed Kylian Mbappe
Doku is a young and talented winger with a lot of potential, so bringing him in to replace Mahrez could be a smart bit of business if City manage to get a deal done.
He has Kylian Mbappe’s approval, with the Paris Saint-Germain forward telling France Football (via Get French Football News) in 2021 that the young Belgian is a player who has impressed him with his speed.
Doku will need more than pace to successfully replace Mahrez, who was able to score goals and create them during his time in the Premier League.
For example, the Algeria international came up with 15 goal contributions in 30 top-flight outings last term as Guardiola’s men went on to win the title.
All in all, he was an attacker who was capable of producing for City when called upon. At 21, Doku may not be as productive straight away if the European champions do go on to sign him but, under a coach like Guardiola, perhaps he could develop into a really threatening wide man.
It certainly will be interesting to see who comes in to take Mahrez’s place, with Olise seemingly another option.
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