Liverpool are reportedly prioritising a move for £70 million-rated Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure, with the Malian enforcer on top of their list of targets.
According to a report from Evening Standard, Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure has become the priority target for Liverpool as the Reds’ search for a quality defensive midfielder continues this summer after failing to lure Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
After a promising start, Liverpool’s summer has turned into a nightmare after developments in recent weeks. Having lost six midfielders from their ranks earlier this summer, including the unprecedented departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, they were forced to start the new season with just two fresh faces in their engine room.
While Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai are both fantastic signings, it is evident that more reinforcements are needed. However, much to the Merseysiders’ dismay, efforts to sign both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia both ended in disappointment despite agreeing to meet their asking prices. Indeed, the failure to sign Lavia is a source of frustration at Anfield.
Having seen two bids turned down by Southampton, Liverpool eventually gave up on their negotiation tactic and met the Saints’ demands. But that delay in wrapping up his deal plus the entire Caicedo saga allowed Chelsea, who offered more than Jurgen Klopp’s side, to leapfrog them to his signature.
As a result, with time running out for Liverpool to bring in further reinforcements in this window, the Reds are moving fast, having almost completed the stop-gap capture of 30-year-old midfielder Wataru Endo from Stuttgart, while Klopp has now identified Palace’s Doucoure as his new top target despite reports of them possibly going back in for France duo Manu Kone and Khephren Thuram.
The Malian enforcer has proved a revelation at Selhurst Park since a £21 million move from Lens last summer. Known for his expertise in breaking up play, launching counter-attacks, and shielding the backline, he was an ever-present presence in the Eagles’ midfield last season, recording 1.6 interceptions and 2.3 tackles per game in his 35 Premier League appearances, while providing three assists in the process.
Such was his impact that the 23-year-old was voted Palace’s Player of the Year by supporters in his debut season at Selhurst Park ahead of stars like Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi, and Michael Olise, and he has already banked 90 minutes this season in the narrow 1-0 victory over Sheffield United. Doucoure is adept at clearing up danger and could be a huge asset for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
But there’s a catch: the Reds offered above and beyond the asking price to get bids accepted for Lavia and Caicedo. So, they may well have to pay over the odds to land Doucoure, with Palace sensing their desperation and slapping a £70 million price tag on the midfielder’s head.
The player himself is understood to be open to a move to Anfield, but will not push through a transfer away from Selhurst Park as he is also happy to stay put at Palace, with four years left on his existing contract. The report also mentions Fulham’s Joao Paulinha and Nice’s Thuram as other midfield options for Liverpool.
