Liverpool and Crystal Palace are reportedly in contact over a possible deal for 23-year-old Malian midfielder Cheick Doucoure.
According to a report by Daily Mail, Cheick Doucoure is the subject of interest from Liverpool. And the Reds have made the first move to sign the 23-year-old from Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, the Premier League club will demand a premium to part ways with the powerhouse midfielder this summer.
Cheick Doucoure has taken the Premier League by storm since joining Crystal Palace from RC Lens last summer. A native of Bamako, the Malian international spent most of his formative years at JMG Academy in his hometown. But he rose to prominence during his four-year stint with Ligue 1 club Lens.
The 23-year-old has established himself as one of the bests midfielders in the Premier League in the past year. Doucoure has turned out 37 times thus far for Crystal Palace, chipping in with three assists. And the player’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Liverpool.
The Reds have been in the market for multiple midfielders this summer. And they have signed Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Wataru Endo in the ongoing transfer window. But considering Liverpool lost five midfielders — James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jordan Henderson, and Fabinho — it makes sense for them to invest in another midfielder.
Several midfielders, including Cheick Doucoure, have thus emerged on Liverpool’s radar. But Crystal Palace will not let the Malian international leave for cheap this summer. That said, the Eagles will likely prefer not to part ways with the player at all. But if Liverpool’s interest turns his head, they will command a fee of over £65 million.
Nonetheless, Doucoure is the top target for Liverpool in the final days of the summer transfer window. And they have established contact over a possible deal for the 23-year-old Crystal Palace midfielder. But it is unclear if the Reds can convince their fellow Premier League club to part ways with their Player of the Year from last season.
With Liverpool making the first move to secure Doucoure’s services, a bid might be on the cards. And it will be interesting to see if they can wrap up their summer business in the midfield unit by signing the Malian international from their fellow Premier League outfit.