Manchester City's transfer priorities have become clear as we edge towards the end of the summer window.
Pep Guardiola proved last season he doesn't require a vast squad to succeed to the highest degree as City claimed a historic treble while the Spaniard depended on a core group of about 15 players.
It's not the overwhelming depth of City's squad that's impressive, but the sheer quality of those Guardiola relies upon. However, things are going to be a little different for the Cityzens in 2023/24 with the club losing both Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez, while Kevin De Bruyne is out of action for the foreseeable future due to injury.
Julian Alvarez is expected to mitigate the Belgian's absence, but replacements for both Gundogan and Mahrez are required before the end of the window. Regarding the latter, after they failed to land Michael Olise, City have stumbled upon an explosive alternative in Jeremy Doku.
What can Jeremy Doku bring to Manchester City?
There is undoubtedly an element of curiosity surrounding this move as Doku isn't your archetypal Guardiola winger. The Spaniard appreciates wide men who are able to retain possession in the final third and aid City's ability to sustain pressure in the opposition's half.
Doku isn't that yet. He's a livewire down the flank, one who excels in one-on-one situations. He loves to take his man on and do everything at 100mph. "When you're one on one with him, there's only one thing left to do - pray," Thierry Henry, who worked with Doku during his time with the Belgian national team, has previously said.
He's bound to bring an added element of excitement to the Etihad, that's for sure. Over the past year, Doku ranks in the 99th percentile of all wingers in Europe's top five leagues for progressive carries per 90 (6.95) and successful take-ons per (6.50). This profile of winger is one Guardiola has appreciated in the past - just look at Leroy Sane - and City's treble-winners were a much more direct side compared to previous iterations thanks to the arrival of Erling Haaland.
Doku, however, will undoubtedly need a year or so to adjust to Guardiola's demands. He's not going to sacrifice so much control for the sake of the Belgian winger. As Jack Grealish did following his £100m arrival, the Rennes man will have to learn how to coalesce with Guardiola's ideals. He likely won't have the license to relentlessly take on and beat his opposing full-back.
Nevertheless, it's Doku's speed, explosiveness, ability off both flanks and capacity to shoot off both feet that have piqued City's attention. The club needed a Mahrez replacement before the end of the summer window and they've finally got one in Doku despite their distinctly contrasting profiles.
Jeremy Doku career stats
The details of Jeremy Doku to Manchester City
Doku is closing in on a move to the Premier League champions after City agreed a €65m deal with Rennes.
The winger expressed his desire to join the Manchester club ahead of Rennes' clash with Lens at the weekend and was subsequently left out of the matchday squad after playing in their Ligue 1 opener.
Doku is ready to sign for the Cityzens after agreeing to a five-year deal and the move is expected to be completed in the coming days after the Belgium international underwent his medical on Wednesday morning.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Why Manchester City want to sign Jeremy Doku.
