Manchester City learn 'asking price' for PSG star in search for Kevin De Bruyne replacment

Latest Manchester City news and rumours as links to Paris Saint-Germain starlet Desire Doue emerge ahead of the summer transfer window

Manchester City and Pep Guardiola are big admirers of Paris Saint-Germain starlet Desire Doue, according to reports this week.

City will need to add a creative spark this summer with Kevin De Bruyne's contract nearing its end. Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz and Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White are among the attacking midfielders to have been linked in recent months, but Doue could represent an intriguing option out wide.

TEAMtalk claim City are interested in bringing the 19-year-old to the Etihad and have been scouting the youngster for some time. He was signed by PSG from Rennes last summer and has scored 13 goals and registered 12 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions so far.

The article adds that Doue has plenty of admirers in the Premier League, including Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. It’s been suggested the latter two tried to sign him last summer, before his move to PSG, and could now reignite their interest.

That said, any deal for the attacker would be extremely difficult, with PSG viewing him as a key part of their long-term plans. The Ligue 1 champions have enjoyed an outstanding season in Europe, knocking out Liverpool and Aston Villa in the Champions League, and are among the favourites to win this year’s competition ahead of a crunch semi-final tie against Arsenal.

TEAMtalk also reveal the kind of fee it would take to tempt PSG to the table, with the French club reportedly only willing to consider offers starting at £85m. That price tag could rise even further if Doue continues to impress on the European stage over the remainder of the campaign.

City are in clear need of a rebuild this summer after their title hopes faded early in the season. Performances have picked up in recent weeks, and they now sit third in the Premier League table, in a strong position to secure Champions League football for next season.

Even so, with De Bruyne’s departure and several senior players ageing, Guardiola will need to inject fresh, young talent this summer if City are to compete on all fronts once again.

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