Player agents will be working overtime to link their clients with Barcelona following the confirmation that Ousmane Dembele is likely heading to PSG. Earlier today we focused on Yannick Carrasco, the talented and versatile Atlético Madrid. Now there is a report linking Stade Rennais forward Jeremy Doku with a move to Catalonia.
Sports journalist Sacha Tavolieri confirmed on Tuesday that although Manchester City leads the way for promising 21-year-old forward Jérémy Doku, Barcelona is tracking the situation with a ‘huge’ interest in replacing Dembele with the Belgian international.
🔵⚪️ #ManchesterCity's the most concrete possibility for Jeremy #Doku at this moment. Talks are 🔛 & intensified this week but NO offer, NO negociations as of now with Stade Rennais. #SRFC
— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) August 1, 2023
🔴🔵 #FCBarcelona following the Skyblues just behind for the Belgian Red Devil with a… pic.twitter.com/SDeIG0xMD9
After fighting injury issues early in his career, Doku is coming off a healthy year with Les Rouge et Noirs, scoring 7 goals and registering 4 assists in 35 appearances. Although his stats don’t blow you away, he does offer a similar play style to Dembele, and it’s believed that Xavi is looking for a replacement in the same mould as the player he’s losing.
Having already made 14 appearances for the national team, Doku has attracted the attention of Pep Guardiola at City, but as of today, there is no official on the table, and no negotiations ongoing with his current club, which leaves the door open for Barcelona to swoop in for the signature.
What would Doku bring to Barcelona?
Unlike Yannick Carrasco, Doku is more comfortable on the right side, although he can operate on either flank. Naturally right-footed, Doku has a strong left foot which he uses when cutting in from the right.
He has incredible acceleration and pace to panic defenders and as he’s matured, he’s become physically stronger with good balance to hold off the opposition.
Comfortable with the ball at his feet, you’d often mistake him for a Brazilian with the way he plays the game. He likes to dribble and run at defenders, and he’s not shy about trying the odd trick. Although his managers may argue that he doesn’t always pick the right time to showcase his flamboyance.
Belgium national coach Roberto Martinez once said of Doku: “When I talk about him, I have to smile. He’s one of those players who can bring magic to his game”
It’s easy to see why the treble-winning champions of England are after his signature, and it’s easy to understand why Barcelona would be interested in signing the young talent.
His valuation is unclear, although TransferMarkt put it at around €28 million, odds are it’ll take a fair bit more to pry him away from France.