Transfer fee, contract length, first reactions, shirt number revealed: Jeremy Doku joins Manchester City from Stade Rennais | OneFootball

Manchester City have completed their third first-team signing of the summer transfer window, with Jeremy Doku moving to the Etihad Stadium from Stade Rennais.

The 21-year-old becomes Manchester City’s latest recruit, moving to the Premier League from the French top division, where the Belgian winger scored seven goals and registered four assists across 35 appearances last season.

Manchester City unexpectedly lost Riyad Mahrez to Saudi Pro League Al-Ahli during the ongoing summer transfer window, and identified the Rennes forward as their number one target to replace the departed Algerian.

The Sky Blues beat the likes of West Ham, Chelsea, and Tottenham to the signing of the 21-year-old, with the Hammers having also launched a bid to sign the Belgium international. However, it is understood that the player himself only ever had eyes on the Etihad Stadium.

Jeremy Doku’s arrival for a reported £55 million fee is Pep Guardiola’s third addition of the summer, following the signing of Croatian pair Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol from Chelsea and RB Leipzig respectively.

As all parties confirm the deal that has taken Jeremy Doku from Stade Rennais to Manchester City this week ahead of the weekend’s Premier League action, here is everything you need to know about the transfer!

What are the terms of the Jeremy Doku to Manchester City deal?

Manchester City have signed Jeremy Doko from Stade Rennais for a reported £55 million (€65 million) transfer fee, with the 21-year-old winger signing a five-year contract until the summer of 2028 at the Etihad Stadium.

What has Jeremy Doku said upon joining Manchester City?

Jeremy Doku told ManCity.com, “This is a great day for me, both personally and professionally. Manchester City are the best team in world football, so to be joining them is something very special for me and my family.

“I am a young player with so much learning and improving to do. Working with Pep and his staff, and playing alongside these work-class players, will make me a much better player. I feel sure of that.

“Watching City last season was amazing. To win the Treble is the hardest thing in football and they did it. You cannot imagine how exciting it is to be joining this team. I cannot wait to get started. Hopefully I can make the fans happy.”

What has Txiki Begiristain said about his third signing this summer?

Txiki Begiristain told ManCity.com, “Jeremy is a very exciting young player and I’m so pleased he’s joining us. In terms of raw attributes, he has everything a winger needs. He has outstanding pace and he is exceptional in one-on-one situations.

“I honestly believe working with Pep and the technical staff here at City will see him develop into a world-class attacking talent.”

Who else was interested in Jeremy Doku this summer?

Manchester City have successfully fought off competition from West Ham to sign the Belgium international, after David Moyes’ side launched a bid for the player, hoping to tempt the 21-year-old to West London with the offer of more regular football.

It is further understood that Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur emerged on the scene over the course of the weekend, placing doubts in the minds of those at Manchester City with regards to their hopes of signing the winger.

However, despite Rennes’ increased asking price to €80 million amid a potential bidding war, City stood firm and secured a €65 million deal after it was made very clear that Doku himself only wanted to make the move to Pep Guardiola’s squad.

What have Stade Rennais said about the deal?

“Jeremy Doku signs for Manchester City. After three seasons spent in Brittany, the 21-year-old Belgian international will discover the Premier League with the Cityzens. Key element of the beautiful end of the 22/23 season, Jeremy Doku will have manhandled the French and European defences 92 times and delighted the Rennes supporters thanks to his disconcerting dribbles, his 12 goals scored and 10 assists delivered.”

What shirt number will Jeremy Doku wear for Manchester City?

Jeremy Doku will become Manchester City’s new number 11, following in the footsteps of the likes of previous Premier League winners with the club including Oleksandr Zinchenko and Aleksandr Kolarov, as well as legendary figures such as Mike Summerbee.

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This is a developing story. More to follow.