Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs keeping an eye on RC Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure.
According to Jeunes Footeux, Cheick Doucoure has become one of the most in-demand midfielders in Ligue 1. The RC Lens starlet is being targeted by multiple top clubs across Europe, including Tottenham Hotspur, Borussia Monchengladbach and Sevilla.
Tottenham, in particular, were linked with a move for Doucoure last summer. They were even prepared to make a €15-20 million attempt, but the move never materialised. The north London outfit have once again set their sights on the player, with Antonio Conte weighing up a potential transfer after the end of the season.
A native of Bamako, Doucoure has been one of the top performers for RC Lens this term. With 20 league appearances, the 22-year-old has been the hub of the team’s midfield unit, offering excellent protection to the backline while keeping things neat and tidy in possession.
Another key aspect of Doucoure has been his consistency. Since Lens’ promotion in 2020, the midfielder has racked up 55 league appearances, taking no time to transition to top-level action. His rapid development has now attracted various clubs across the continent, with Tottenham among the clubs in contention to sign the Lens starlet in the summer.
Fresh from the deadline day capture of Rodrigo Bentancur, the Lilywhites appear to be keen on further reinforcing their options in the middle of the park next season. It is apparent coach Antonio Conte was not happy with the existing set of midfield options, having either offloaded or loaned the likes of Giovani Lo Celso, Tanguy Ndombele and Dele Alli in January.
Many expect Harry Winks to leave the club in the summer as well, leaving Oliver Skipp, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Bentancur as the only three reliable options in the middle of the park. The potential addition of Doucoure could prove to be a useful investment for the club.
A defensive midfielder by trade, the youngster can offer competition for Hojbjerg and Bentancur. At the age of 22, the Malian international has a bright future ahead of him, having already showcased his talents in Ligue 1. However, Conte isn’t averse to targeting a more experienced alternative like Arturo Vidal, so it will be interesting to see how Spurs approach the market with regard to their midfield problem.