In the world of football transfers, there are rumours that feel distant and unrealistic, and then there are rumours that instantly grab attention because of the names involved. When the name Florentino Perez appears next to a Manchester City star, people stop and listen. When that name is linked with Jeremy Doku, one of the most exciting young wingers in European football, the noise becomes even louder. Over the past few days, reports from Spain have suggested that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is closely watching Doku’s situation at Manchester City, with a possible move being discussed behind the scenes. The story sounds dramatic, ambitious, and bold, but when you look deeper, it also feels extremely complicated and very unlikely.
Jeremy Doku is still only 23 years old, but he already looks like a player built for the biggest stages. Since arriving in the Premier League, he has grown quickly into one of Manchester City’s most dangerous attacking weapons. His pace, direct dribbling, confidence, and fearlessness have made him a nightmare for defenders. When he runs at full speed with the ball glued to his feet, very few players in the world can stop him without fouling him. For Manchester City fans, Doku represents the future of the attack. For Pep Guardiola, he represents something even more important, a different type of winger who brings chaos, unpredictability, and raw aggression to a system that is often built on control and structure.
It is no surprise, then, that Real Madrid are watching him. Florentino Perez has a long history of targeting young stars before they fully reach their peak. He has done it many times before, signing players who later became global icons. When Perez identifies a player, it is rarely random. It is usually part of a long-term plan, and that is what makes this Doku story interesting. Reports suggest that Perez sees Doku as a potential future star at the Santiago Bernabeu, someone who could eventually add speed and directness to Real Madrid’s attack.
But admiration does not mean availability, and interest does not mean a deal is realistic. Jeremy Doku joined Manchester City for around sixty million euros, a fee that already showed how highly he was rated. Since then, his value has only gone up. City did not sign him as a squad player. They signed him to be essential, to grow into a cornerstone of their attacking setup. Pep Guardiola has made it clear, both publicly and privately, that Doku is not a player they are willing to let go. He fits Guardiola’s long-term vision, and more importantly, he is still improving.
This is where the story begins to shift from exciting to almost impossible. Manchester City are reportedly not even willing to open discussions unless an offer of more than one hundred and twenty million euros arrives on the table. That number alone changes everything. For Real Madrid, spending that kind of money comes with expectations that are almost impossible to meet. At that price, they expect a player who is already a global superstar, someone who can decide Champions League finals and carry a team on his shoulders. While Doku is extremely talented, he is not yet at that level.
There is also the question of timing. Real Madrid are not desperate right now. They still have Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes, two players who have delivered on the biggest stage. But both players have been linked with possible moves away, and that is where the Doku story becomes more layered. If one or both of those players leave in the future, Real Madrid will need replacements. Perez is already thinking ahead, and Doku fits the profile of the kind of winger Real Madrid like, young, explosive, confident, and marketable.
However, spending more than one hundred and twenty million euros on a player who is still developing feels like a gamble even for a club like Real Madrid. Perez has made expensive mistakes before, and he has learned from them. Real Madrid’s recent transfer strategy has been more patient and calculated. They prefer to strike when value and timing align perfectly. Right now, the value does not align.
From Manchester City’s perspective, selling Jeremy Doku would make absolutely no sense. City have already experienced seasons where they fell short of their own standards, and they are desperate to return to dominating English and European football. To do that, they need to keep their best players. Selling Doku would not just weaken the team, it would send a message to rivals that City are willing to cash in rather than build. That is not how Guardiola operates, and it is not how the club wants to be seen.
Doku is not just another winger in the squad. He is often one of the first names on the team sheet. When City need to break down deep defensive blocks, Doku’s ability to beat defenders one-on-one becomes priceless. When games become tight and tense, his willingness to take risks gives City an edge. Losing that would force Guardiola to completely rethink his attacking structure.
There is also the psychological side of things. Selling a young star to Real Madrid would create doubts inside the dressing room. Other players would start to wonder who might be next. City have worked hard to build an image of stability, ambition, and long-term planning. Letting Doku leave would damage that image.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are dealing with their own internal questions. Vinicius Junior has been linked with massive offers from abroad, and Rodrygo Goes has attracted serious interest from Manchester City themselves. The irony of the situation is impossible to ignore. City are reportedly looking at Rodrygo as a potential target, while Real Madrid are looking at Doku. It feels like a chess game between two giants, but neither side wants to make the first risky move.
If Rodrygo were to leave, Real Madrid would need to replace him properly. Fans would demand a signing who can immediately contribute at the highest level. Would Doku be that player? Some would say yes, others would argue he still needs time. At Real Madrid, time is a luxury few players are given. Every mistake is magnified, every poor performance is analysed endlessly.
There is also the reality of Guardiola’s influence. Players under Guardiola often speak about how much they improve under his guidance. Doku is still learning, still refining his decision-making, still becoming more complete. Leaving that environment too early could slow his development. From Doku’s point of view, staying at City might be the smartest choice for his career right now.
For Real Madrid, there are other options. They could look for more cost-effective signings, players who offer quality without an extreme price tag. The transfer market is full of talented wingers who might not have Doku’s raw speed but could offer tactical discipline and experience. Perez knows that paying over one hundred million euros should be reserved for truly special situations.
Manchester City, on the other hand, must focus on rebuilding their dominance. Recent seasons have not gone according to plan. Injuries, form drops, and tactical adjustments have all played a part. To bounce back, City need continuity. They need players who understand the system and believe in the project. Doku is exactly that kind of player.
Selling him now would feel like stepping backwards. It would also strengthen a potential European rival, something Guardiola has always tried to avoid. City’s message is clear, their best players are not for sale, especially not to clubs who could stand in their way in the Champions League.
As things stand, the idea of Jeremy Doku wearing a Real Madrid shirt feels more like a fantasy than a realistic outcome. The price is too high, the timing is wrong, and the resistance from Manchester City is strong. Florentino Perez may admire the player, he may even dream about him playing at the Bernabeu one day, but admiration alone does not close deals.
Football transfers are unpredictable, and situations can change quickly. Players leave, budgets grow, and priorities shift. But right now, all signs point to Doku staying exactly where he is. Manchester City want to build around him. Guardiola trusts him. The fans love him. And at twenty-three, his best years are still ahead of him.
Real Madrid will continue to monitor the situation, as they always do. Perez never truly walks away from an idea. He simply waits. But unless something dramatic changes, unless City suddenly change their stance or Real Madrid decide to break their own financial logic, this transfer is unlikely to happen anytime soon.
For now, Jeremy Doku remains a key part of Manchester City’s present and future. Real Madrid will have to look elsewhere if they want to strengthen their attack. And the story serves as another reminder that not every big-name rumour leads to a blockbuster move, especially when two of the most powerful clubs in world football are involved.
