West Ham United make verbal offer to sign Jeremy Doku amid Manchester City transfer twist
West Ham have made a verbal bid to sign Rennes winger Jeremy Doku, according to Foot Mercato.
The French news outlet reported on Wednesday (16 August) that Doku, 21, has already agreed personal terms to join Manchester City.
However, it seems the Irons are making a late play to sign the Belgium international as they see him as a “priority” signing to add to David Moyes’ options out wide.
What position is Doku?
West Ham definitely need to add to their wide options before the transfer window closes because right now, they’re one or two injuries away from a crisis in that area of Moyes’ squad.
Doku is primarily a right-sided winger.
Last season, the Belgian played most of his games on Rennes’ right wing as he played 35 times in all competitions, scoring seven goals and supplying four assists. He also played the odd game on the left flank [transfermarkt].
In Rennes’ opening game of this season, Doku played on the right wing as he scored one goal in a 5-1 in over Metz.
The ex-Anderlecht winger has proven himself to be more than adept at scoring and assisting goals while playing out wide in France so a move to English football definitely looks like a step in the right direction.
And a move to the London Stadium would be welcomed because West Ham’s squad is short of strength in depth in the attack.
Sure, if Jarrod Bowen is fit, he plays. But we have a Europa League campaign to contend with, which increases games played and the chances of injuries being picked up.
Said Benrahma and Maxwel Cornet are also wingers but they usually play on the left-hand side of the attack.
Doku would be an incredible signing for West Ham but the fact he’s agreed personal terms at Man City muddies the waters and makes this a tougher transfer to complete.
In other West Ham news, the club are in talks to hijack their Premier League rivals’ pursuit of an attacking player.