Manchester City reach agreement over €60 million deal for Belgium international forward

Stade Rennais and Manchester City have reached a global agreement for the transfer of Jeremy Doku as part of a €60m package.

The Premier League champions have been looking for a new striker for several months after agreeing to the around £30million sale of Riyad Mahrez to Saudi Pro-League club Al Ahli last month.

The search for a new winger may have taken longer than expected but it seems Pep Guardiola will have a new signing for his move 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 said to be entitled to 20% of Jeremy Doku’s profit at the Stade Rennais after he sold the forward to the French club for €26m in October 2020.

Tavolieri points out that while West Ham United were interested, Jeremy Doku had always wanted to join Manchester City and club officials wanted to find the right “convincing price” before sending out the first official offer.

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

It is currently unknown if Doku Manchester City will be available for the upcoming Premier League game against Sheffield United but the signing is essential for Pep Guardiola and his options throughout the season.

Sky Sports have stressed he could make his debut for Bramall Lane Club if the arrival of Jeremy Doku and the signing of the treble winner are completed before Friday afternoon.

The signing of the Belgium international will raise new questions about the future of Cole Palmer, who has been heavily linked with the departure of the Etihad Stadium in search of more regular playing time and faster 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.