Guardiola to BATTLE Barcelona for long-time Liverpool target

Tom Weber

1 Aug 2023 18:05 BST
3 min read

Manchester City and Barcelona are keen on Stade Rennais star Jeremy Doku.

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Pep Guardiola is in the market for a winger following Riyad Mahrez's decision to sign for Saudi giants Al-Ahli. Besides Michael Olise of Crystal Palace - who is also being courted by Chelsea - the Spaniard is keen on Rennes' Jeremy Doku, as revealed by Fabrizio Romano.

The Belgian has long since been touted for a big-money move to one of Europe's elite clubs after bursting onto the scene a few years ago. Still only 21, Doku perhaps hasn't kicked on as much as was initially expected of him, but the exciting winger is nevertheless a thrilling prospect, having record six goals and a couple of assists in Ligue 1 last term.

READ: Chelsea line up USMNT star as Caicedo alternative

Jurgen Klopp is said to be a long-time admirer of the Belgian youngster, but the anticipated move to Liverpool never materialised. Instead, it is now Manchester City who are keen on the player, but they are not the only ones.

Barcelona enter the fray

According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Barcelona have 'a huge interest' in Doku. This admiration has been intensified due to the imminent departure of Ousmane Dembele for Paris Saint-Germain.

Barcelona will be entitled to a solid chunk of Dembele's €50 million transfer fee, but whether it will be enough for the cash-strapped Catalans to be able to engineer a move for the youngster remains to be seen.

READ: Barcelona FORCED to sell Dembele because of CRAZY contract clause

His stocks have somewhat fallen in recent seasons, but Rennes paid a then-club record €27m when they signed him in 2020 and they will be keen to turn a profit on the youngster.

Perhaps because of this uncertainty, City remain the clear favourites to land Doku. "Talks are on and intensified this week, but no offer, no negotiations as of now with Stade Rennais," writes Tavolieri.