Manchester City’s latest announcement involves the acquisition of Belgian winger Jeremy Doku, a move that comes following the successful negotiation of a €65 million (£56 million/$70 million) deal with Rennes. Doku is now officially part of the Premier League champions, having signed a five-year contract. His journey to City stems from his time at Rennes in Ligue 1, where he impressively scored 10 goals and contributed 12 assists across all competitions during his three-season tenure.
Within the context of the broader summer signings, Doku stands as the third addition to Manchester City’s roster. The preceding recruits include midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea and defender Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig.
Zooming out to view the larger implications, Doku’s arrival has a strategic purpose—to step into the shoes of Riyad Mahrez. The departure of Mahrez, who enjoyed a trophy-laden five-year stint at the Etihad Stadium, prompted the need for a replacement of his caliber. This transition could also mean a challenging situation for Cole Palmer. Although Palmer showcased a promising start to the season, the emergence of Doku could lead to reduced playing opportunities for him, particularly in the wake of his limited involvement during City’s journey to securing the treble.