Manchester City in talks to sign 'the next 'Eden Hazard': report

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Manchester City might have found their replacement for Riyad Mahrez, and he's drawn some promising comparisons

Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City looks dejected following the team's loss during the penalty shootout in The FA Community Shield match between Manchester City against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 06, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Tom Flathers/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Manchester City are reportedly looking to make a move for a Belgian forward who has drawn comparisons with Eden Hazard.

With Riyad Mahrez joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli for £30m this summer, Manchester City have been left trying to find a replacement right-winger as they head into the new season.

Crystal Palace's Michael Olise has been strongly linked in recent weeks, but it seems Pep Guardiola is keen on signing an alternative forward from elsewhere in Europe. 

Riyad Mahrez appluads the Manchester City fans at Wembley after their 3-0 win over Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-finals in April 2023.

Riyad Mahrez left Manchester City this summer, leaving them short in wide areas (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to The Telegraph, Manchester City are in talks to sign Jeremy Doku from Ligue 1 side Rennes. 

The report suggests that Rennes values Doku between £43m and £50m, with the Belgian forward still having two years remaining on his contract. Transfermarkt values the 21-year-old at £25m, though, suggesting Manchester City will have to pay over the odds to bring Doku to the club.

Doku joined Rennes from Anderlecht in 2020, and has since scored 11 goals in 90 appearances for the club. While not a remarkable return, Doku has drawn comparisons to his fellow countryman Eden Hazard.

Jeremy Doku Manchester City target and Rennes and Belgium forward

Doku is being lined up at Manchester City  (Image credit: Getty)

Powerfully built but relatively small, Doku's dribbling skills and low centre of gravity are reminiscent of the former Chelsea and Real Madrid man. Hazard is also Doku's idol, and has had the opportunity to play with him in Belgium's first-team. 

"Whenever I watched football on TV, I really liked watching him and it'll be special to rub shoulders with him for the Red Devils," Doku said about Hazard prior to making his debut for the national team.

"I'm going to pay close attention to him in training, to see how he plays, how he does things."

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Ryan Dabbs
Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.