Exclusive: ‘Agent’ De Bruyne key to Man City move for Jeremy Doku with two other signings overlooked
Jeremy Doku is to sign for Manchester City
Manchester City will have Kevin De Bruyne to thank after helping the European champions persuade Jeremy Doku to opt for a move to the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s side have been in the market for a new winger ever since Riyad Mahrez’s decision to quit and join Al Hilal in a £30m deal. The Algerian forced through his exit after we revealed his frustration with Guardiola at being benched in both the FA Cup and Champions League finals.
Guardiola fought to keep Mahrez on his books, but his ultimate desire to move on persuaded the Cityzens to relent. And, as one chapter closes, another one has opened for City in the form of Doku.
They have reached an agreement with his club Rennes that will pocket the French side a fee of €60m (£51.2m).
The 21-year-old winger, who has 18 goals in 128 career appearances, will undergo a medical in the north-west on Wednesday before signing a multi-year deal, which we understand will be until 2028.
And we can reveal that it was a reference from talismanic City star De Bruyne which helped smooth over Doku’s proposed switch to City.
I am told that City’s hierarchy always had Doku on their radar along with the likes of Bradley Barcola and Michael Olise. However, thanks to conversations with De Bruyne, City have pushed ahead to agree a deal for Doku over both Lyon star Barcola and Crystal Palace’s Olise.
Doku was also the subject of strong interest from West Ham, though once City entered the conversation, there was only ever likely to be one winner.
Guardiola has also spoken to Doku during the process and, understandably that has also proved pivotal. But we can confirm City did their homework on the Rennes star, which included some in-depth conversations with De Bruyne, who is believed to have been glowing in his praise of his fellow countryman.
We also understand that Doku’s arrival could yet see Cole Palmer or James McAtee depart the club this summer.
Palmer has been linked with a move to West Ham, who were keen on the player as part of the potential Lucas Paqueta deal. And while City have since cooled their interest in Paqueta, the Hammers still remain keen on a potential deal for Palmer.
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