MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 04:39:26| >> :120:7237:7237:

Aston Villa 'considering bid for Jeremy Doku'

Aston Villa 'considering bid for Jeremy Doku'
© Reuters
Aston Villa reportedly identify Rennes winger Jeremy Doku as a potential summer transfer target.

Aston Villa may reportedly consider a move for Rennes winger Jeremy Doku later in the summer transfer window.

Unai Emery is currently looking to further strengthen his first-team squad having already secured deals for Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans.

If reports are to be believed, a versatile attacker is next on the agenda, with the West Midlands outfit being linked with several different names.

Earlier this week, it was suggested that AC Milan's Charles de Ketelaere and Bayer Leverkusen's Moussa Diaby were each on Emery's shortlist.

The latter, in particular, is allegedly high on Villa's agenda, but the Europa Conference League qualifiers are yet to agree a fee with their counterparts at the Bundesliga outfit.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts on July 15, 2023© Reuters

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, attempting to secure the transfer of Diaby remains a priority, even with Leverkusen currently against selling the player for €35m (£30m) plus add-ons.

Nevertheless, Romano adds that Villa will contemplate an approach for Doku if they are unsuccessful with their efforts to bring in Diaby.

The 21-year-old has been regarded as one of European football's top prospects ever since breaking into the senior ranks yet at Anderlecht, yet he has not always earned regular starts.

Since moving to Rennes in October 2020, just 43 of his 73 outings in Ligue 1 have come from the opening whistle, with 13 starts and 16 substitute appearances being made during 2022-23.

Stade Rennes' Jeremy Doku walks off the pitch to be substituted after sustaining an injury as referee Eric Wattellier and Benjamin Bourigeaud look on on March 5, 2023© Reuters

That said, the Belgium international shook off an injury sustained in March to produce some of his best form for Rennes, contributing five goals and two assists during a six-game period April 15 and May 21.

Such a run will likely see Rennes push hard to retain the services of Doku during the summer, but just two years remain on his contract at the present time.

Having paid £21m for Doku less than three years ago, Rennes would demand at least that value if any bigger clubs made a formal bid for one of their key players before the end of August.

Doku also featured in each of Belgium's Euro 2024 qualifiers in June, a further indication that the former Anderlecht youngster could further fulfil his potential in 2023-24.

ID:518699:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4595:
Written by
Darren Plant

Click here for more stories about Jeremy Doku

Click here for more stories about Aston Villa

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Bayer Leverkusen's Moussa Diaby on April 29, 2023
Read Next:
Villa 'fail with first offer for Moussa Diaby'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!