Crystal Palace have reportedly agreed personal terms with Cheick Doucoure, who could be subject to a €25 million move.
According to La Voix Du Nord, Crystal Palace are inching closer to signing key midfield target Cheick Doucoure after agreeing personal terms with the Malian international. The London side will still have to sort out a fee with RC Lens, who are seeking €25 million for the Ligue 1 star.
Cheick Doucoure has been identified as Crystal Palace’s top target in this window. Patrick Vieira has had his eyes on the midfielder for a while now, as the manager considers the Malian the ideal candidate to shore up his options in the centre of the park.
Vieira wants to bring in a new holding midfielder after spending the last season deploying Luka Milivojevic, Cheikhou Kouyate, and Will Hughes in the position. With Hughes not making the best of impressions and Milivojevic linked with an exit, Doucoure, valued at €25 million by Lens, has become the Eagles’ top target.
Crystal Palace looked at other options such as Ibrahim Sangare but have remained intent on signing Doucoure at all costs. The London side made an offer worth €17 million recently, but that may have been turned down by Lens, who are standing firm on their €25 million valuation.
Lens are bracing themselves for plenty of offers for their current players. Seko Fofana and Facundo Medina are other stars primed for a departure and could join Doucoure through the exit door. The French club hope to attract good money for their players, which could help them reinforce their squad in this window.
As for Doucoure, Crystal Palace have been ramping up their efforts to sign the Ligue 1 star in recent weeks. And as things stand, Palace have agreed personal terms with Doucoure, which could take them closer to the move. The only thing remaining is a fee agreement between the two clubs, as they could wrap up a deal for €25 million in the coming days.
Doucoure could be a solid signing for Crystal Palace, given his age and the potential he has displayed. While the 22-year-old still is raw talent in many aspects, Vieira could give him a platform to continue his development and take his game to the next level.
