Doku, who made a strong impression at Stade Rennais, caught Guardiola’s attention as a suitable candidate to fill the void left by Mahrez. With Kevin De Bruyne facing a five-month absence due to an injury, the young Belgian is Guardiola’s top choice to bolster City’s attack.
Seen as a potential successor to De Bruyne, Doku’s performance in France has earned him the respect of his international teammate. The move to Etihad Stadium marks a significant step in his career and has already made him one of the most promising talents in Europe.
Guardiola is also engaged in negotiations with Barcelona over the potential loan of Joao Cancelo to Nou Camp, with an option to make the transfer permanent.
The transfer fee for Doku surpasses Stade Rennais’ previous record, which was £35 million paid by West Ham for Nayef Aguerd in the previous summer. Doku was initially acquired by Stade Rennais from Anderlecht for €26 million (£22 million) and, despite fluctuating form, he remains highly regarded as a rising star in European football.
Guardiola faced the challenge of reshaping his squad after Mahrez’s departure to Al-Ahli for £30 million. The seasoned coach is relying on young talents like Cole Palmer to step up and secure their places in the team. Palmer’s impressive performances in the Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup have highlighted his potential.
