Aston Villa are joining the race for Rennes winger Jeremy Doku amid recent links with a move to Liverpool.
Rennes talent Jeremy Doku is emerging as Aston Villa’s preferred alternative to top target Moussa Diaby.
That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims that Villa have put Doku on their transfer wish list.
Belgian speedster Doku is wanted at Villa Park but only if a deal for top target Moussa Diaby can’t be done.
Villa are looking to splash the cash this summer and a new winger appears to be a priority for Unai Emery.
Defender Pau Torres and midfielder Youri Tielemans are already on board, so now the attention is on pace down the flanks.
Leon Bailey hasn’t quite lived up to expectations on a consistent basis and Villa could move for Doku to help them out wide.
Liverpool also want Jeremy Doku
It just wouldn’t be a transfer window without Liverpool being linked with a move for Doku, would it?
Doku has been linked with Liverpool for years now, going back to his days in the Anderlecht youth ranks.
Doku’s father admitted that they visited Anfield in 2018 and discussed a transfer with Jurgen Klopp, who saw Doku as a Sadio Mane-like talent.
The rumour emerged again late in June as French reporter Mohamed Toubache-Ter claimed that Liverpool have a strong interest in Doku.
The Belgium international is now 21 and hasn’t quite lived up to his potential just yet.
Doku – hailed as an ‘exceptional talent’ by former Belgium boss Roberto Martinez – is fast and tricky but managed only six goals and two assists in 29 Ligue 1 games last season.
The end product needs to be more consistent with Doku, who has bags of talent but needs to put it all together.
What’s the latest on Moussa Diaby?
Doku is only a backup target behind Moussa Diaby though with Villa aiming high in their pursuit of a new wide man.
Diaby has the pace and trickery that Doku provides but has proven end product.
Diaby has smashed 31 goals and 25 assists across all competitions in the last two seasons.
The 24-year-old is a more rounded player than Doku, which you would expect with the age difference, but signing won’t be easy.
Romano claims that Villa offered €35million for Doku but Bayer Leverkusen have rejected that bid.
Another Villa offer is expected but the big problem comes from Saudi Arabia.
Foot Mercato reporter Santi Aouna suggests that Al Nassr have now offered €43million (£37million) for Diaby with an official proposal now submitted.
That will be hard for Villa to compete with and that’s ultimately why Unai Emery and co are turning to Doku as an alternative.
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