EXCLUSIVE: Man City close in on Paqueta and Doku transfers

Steve Kay

Updated: 14 Aug 2023 20:10 BST
4 min read

Man City, Lucas Paqueta, Jeremy Doku — © ProShots

Manchester City are closing in on a sensational double swoop for Lucas Paqueta and Jeremy Doku, FootballTransfers understands.

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Sources close to the negotiations have informed us that the Cityzens are confident of wrapping up the deals for these two players after they verbally agreed personal terms with the club.

Following the departures of Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan, Pep Guardiola is keen on strengthening his midfield and the flanks. Paqueta, 25, has impressed at West Ham and become a regular in Brazil's national team. The Hammers rejected City's £70 million bid, but that does not deter the Manchester club.

Jeremy Doku, meanwhile, was once touted as one of Europe's biggest wonderkids. While the hype has somewhat subsided, the Belgian is still only 21 and coming off a solid campaign with Stade Rennais, scoring six goals and recording a couple of assists. Doku also found the back of the net in Rennes' opening Ligue 1 game at the weekend.

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City's outgoings

City aren't only working on incomings, however. We are also told that Cole Palmer could very well leave the treble winners - but only for the right price.

We hear that Brighton and West Ham are showing serious interest in the 21-year-old, who is looking for a regular Premier League starting berth.

Moreover, we are also informed that 20-year-old midfielder James McAtee is likely heading out on loan. Brighton are also keeping an eye on this youngster's situation at the Etihad. McAtee has only made a handful of competitive appearances for City to date, most recently featuring for a few seconds against Burnley on opening day.

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City have already spent €119m on signings this summer, which includes making Josko Gvardiol the world's most-expensive defender as well as snapping up Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic. This spending has been somewhat offset by sales, however, with the club raising some €85m from departures.