The 2024/25 Premier League season has been a wild ride. And right when some people were beginning to doubt them, Manchester City, under the leadership of the great Pep Guardiola, have once again shown why they are considered one of the very best teams not just in England, but in the whole world.
In recent weeks, the Citizens have found their magic again. After a few months of struggles and inconsistent performances earlier in the season, Guardiola’s team has now stormed back into form at the perfect time. They have won four of their last five Premier League matches, looking sharper, hungrier, and more dangerous than ever. The energy is back. The swagger is back. Manchester City are once again playing like champions.
And because of this incredible turnaround, they are now just six points behind Arsenal, who currently sit second in the table and are flying high after reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
It feels like Manchester City are back in business — and they are not stopping here.
Manchester City’s Big Objective
For Pep Guardiola and his team, the mission is very clear: secure a place among Europe’s elite by qualifying for next season’s Champions League. A place at the top table of European football is non-negotiable for a club of City’s stature.
Even if this campaign has not gone exactly how they dreamed, finishing strongly will set the tone for the future. Manchester City want to be title challengers again next season. They want to dominate England. They want to conquer Europe. And to do all that, Pep Guardiola knows that he must continue to refresh his squad with the best young talent in the world.
The plan is simple: Invest wisely. Build for the next generation. Stay ahead of the competition.
And it seems City already have their eyes set on their next big superstar — a player many believe is destined for greatness.
City’s £102 Million Target: Désiré Doué
Over the weekend, news coming out of Spain revealed that Manchester City are preparing something huge. According to reports, the Citizens are getting ready to launch a club-record bid of £102 million to sign Paris Saint-Germain’s exciting young attacker Désiré Doué this summer.
Yes, you heard that right — £102 million!
At just 19 years old, Doué is already considered one of the hottest talents in Europe. And it’s no surprise that Pep Guardiola is so interested in him. After all, Pep loves players who are technically brilliant, tactically intelligent, and full of energy. Doué ticks all of those boxes — and more.
City have already shown this season that they are serious about giving young players opportunities. The 21-year-old sensation Savinho, for example, has enjoyed plenty of first-team minutes and has impressed everyone with his fearless performances.
Adding Doué to this exciting group would send a powerful message to the football world: Manchester City are building a dynasty for the future.
Who is Désiré Doué?
For those who might not be too familiar, Désiré Doué is a French attacking midfielder and winger who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain. He can play on the right wing, the left wing, or even in a central attacking midfield role — making him the perfect modern attacker.
French journalist Julien Laurens has already hailed him as a “superstar in the making,” and it’s easy to see why. Doué has everything — speed, skill, vision, and an eye for goal. He plays with the confidence of a seasoned professional but has the hunger and desire of a teenager trying to make his mark.
This season alone, Doué has racked up an incredible 25 goal contributions (goals plus assists) in 47 matches across all competitions. That’s an outstanding return for a 19-year-old playing for one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
And here’s the thing — he is only getting started.
The New Bukayo Saka?
Some fans and experts are even comparing Doué to Arsenal’s brilliant winger Bukayo Saka. And when you look closely, the similarities are truly exciting.
Saka, despite being naturally left-footed, has made the right wing his own at Arsenal. His ability to cut inside, create chances, and score goals has made him one of the best young players in the world.
This season alone, Saka has produced 25 goal contributions in 31 matches — numbers that prove just how lethal he is.
And guess what? Doué’s numbers are right there with him!
Even though Doué has played more games (47 compared to Saka’s 31), he has matched Saka’s output with 25 goal contributions. That consistency and impact at such a young age are what make City so desperate to bring him to the Etihad Stadium.
Imagine having a player who can give you what Saka gives Arsenal — but in Manchester City’s colours. That’s the dream. That’s why City are ready to break their transfer record to get him.
Head-to-Head: Doué vs. Saka
Let’s break it down even further by looking at their detailed statistics over the last year:
Stat (Per 90 minutes)
Désiré Doué
Bukayo Saka
Total shots
2.94
3.14
Shot-creating actions
5.26
5.35
Progressive passes
6.55
3.54
Progressive carries
5.59
4.64
Successful take-ons
2.98
2.04
Touches in attacking penalty area
5.77
7.94
Progressive passes received
10.92
12.66
When you see the numbers side by side, it’s clear that Doué is not far behind Saka at all. In some areas — like progressive passes and successful dribbles — Doué actually outperforms Saka.
He’s a player who loves to drive forward, who can beat defenders one-on-one, and who is always looking to make something happen. In other words: he’s a Pep Guardiola dream player.
Perfect for Guardiola’s System
Guardiola’s style of play demands technical excellence, tactical flexibility, and bravery on the ball. His players must be comfortable receiving passes in tight spaces, must have the intelligence to find gaps between the lines, and must have the courage to attack when the moment is right.
Désiré Doué fits this profile perfectly.
Whether operating down the right wing, cutting inside onto his left foot, or drifting into central areas to create chances, Doué offers exactly the kind of versatility that Guardiola loves.
He can play wide. He can play narrow. He can play high. He can drop deep. He can press defenders. He can stretch defenses. He can score. He can assist.
At just 19 years old, he already plays with the maturity of a 25-year-old. Imagine what Guardiola could do with him over the next few seasons. The sky is truly the limit.
Learning from the Best
At Manchester City, Doué would not only get to work under one of the greatest managers in football history, but he would also learn from some of the best players in the world.
He would share a dressing room with Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, and Erling Haaland.
He would train every day in a world-class environment, where excellence is demanded and where young talents are nurtured and developed into world-beaters.
Just like how Phil Foden grew under Guardiola’s watchful eye, Doué could blossom into a global superstar at City.
Making a Statement
Paying £102 million for a 19-year-old would certainly raise eyebrows. It would be a bold, headline-grabbing move. But make no mistake — this is the way the football world is moving.
Elite clubs are now fighting to secure the best young players before they become completely unattainable. Investing heavily now could save even more money in the future.
If Manchester City do manage to pull this off, it would be a massive statement of intent. It would tell the world: We are not satisfied with what we’ve achieved. We are building for tomorrow. We are building to dominate for the next decade.
And with players like Désiré Doué leading the charge, who could stop them?
A Potential Doué-Savinho Partnership?
One of the most exciting possibilities is the idea of Doué and Savinho linking up on the wings for City.
Both young. Both electric. Both fearless.
Imagine Savinho terrorizing defenses down the left, Doué slicing through defenders on the right, and Erling Haaland finishing off everything in between.
It would be a nightmare for Premier League defenders. It would be a dream for City fans.
And under Pep Guardiola’s guidance, the potential is limitless.
The Next Chapter
The story is still unfolding. Nothing is confirmed yet. But the fact that City are willing to spend £102 million tells you everything you need to know about how highly they rate Désiré Doué.
Negotiations will not be easy. PSG will not want to lose such a gem without a fight. Other big clubs might also try to jump in and steal the deal.
But Manchester City are determined.
They believe in their project. They believe in Pep Guardiola. And they believe that Désiré Doué could be a huge part of their future success.
If they manage to get this deal done, it might just be remembered as the move that shaped the next era of dominance at the Etihad.
