Jeremy Doku, a winger for Rennes and Belgium, is reportedly “ready” to accept a transfer to the Premier League amid interest from Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Doku has frequently had a significant influence when competing for Belgium at the international level, and over the past few years, he has frequently been linked with a transfer to the Premier League.
The 21-year-old has perhaps been more uneven when playing for Ligue 1 team Rennes, but in his 35 appearances last season across all competitions, he collected seven goals and four assists.
Doku is allegedly a huge favorite of Jurgen Klopp, who has ‘never forgotten’ about the winger, according to a source from last October.
Doku is reportedly “ready to reject a Serie A transfer for the Premier League,” according to Caught Offside.
While Unai Emery’s team is reportedly “showing the strongest interest” in the teenager while they “wait to find out what happens with Moussa Diaby,” Liverpool and Aston Villa are “among the clubs interested” in him.
However, they are currently “focused on strengthening other areas of their squad, including midfield and defense.” Liverpool has “made recent checks on Doku,” in the meantime.
Before the summer transfer window shuts, Liverpool allegedly wants to sign two more midfielders, according to a different report from Football Insider. This occurs as Jordan Henderson and Fabinho prepare to fly to Saudi Arabia.
‘Doku has impressed in Ligue 1 and wouldn’t be short of suitors elsewhere in Europe either,’ the Caught Offside report continues, ‘but CaughtOffside understands he has made a move to England his clear priority, even though he’s also been approached by both AC Milan and Napoli in recent months.
It is unclear if Villa or anyone else will consider Rennes’ proposed €40 million asking price for allowing Doku to depart to be a good value or if they will try to negotiate a lower price.
As the Frenchman is now being pursued by both Villa and clubs in the Saudi Pro League, a lot will probably depend on Diaby’s decision.
Journalist Robin Bairner said that Doku’s “issue” has been his lack of consistency toward the end of last year.
“Jeremy Doku’s talent isn’t necessarily the problem. We have witnessed firsthand how effective a winger he can be, especially at the European Championships. According to Bairner, he was devastating for Belgium versus Italy.
But ever since he arrived to Rennes, staying fit has been his constant problem. Again, he has only recently been hurt and is still recovering. With him, it appears to be an ongoing loop.
He won’t really have any consistency in his performances because he’ll return for two or three games before getting sidelined for two or three months.
“I think that has to be a red flag for a team like Liverpool who are typically so strong in the transfer market, who pick up players who have a strong mentality, who don’t get injured, and who can fit into their team right away,” said a source close to the club.
