Liverpool have opened talks to sign Cheick Doucoure and could accelerate their efforts to get personal terms in place.
According to French Outlet Sports Zone, Liverpool are working hard to sign Cheick Doucoure, as they are currently trying to find an agreement on personal terms. Crystal Palace will see losing the midfielder as a bitter blow at this stage and could demand a significant fee in return.
Liverpool have had quiet periods around the transfer deadline, and the fans essentially would have liked such a scenario. Things are drastically different this time at Merseyside, with the club likely to make late calls on at least one or two transfers.
The uncertainty surrounding Mohamed Salah’s future could force them to find a replacement if the Egyptian left. The more pressing matter is to find a suitable holding midfielder before the window shuts, as Jurgen Klopp evaluates several options.
The arrival of Wataru Endo may have been a short-gap signing, as the Japanese star does not look like a sure starter. Klopp may want another name, having sufficiently strengthened in the other midfield areas with Dominic Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.
As things stand, a few players like Ryan Gravenberch, Sofyan Amrabat and Cheick Doucoure are all on their radar. They also wanted Fluminense star Andre, but the Brazilian side rejected all proposals from Liverpool.
Cheick Doucoure became a priority target when Liverpool lost the race for Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo. Crystal Palace may have outlined a price point earlier in the window, but now they could demand significantly more for the Malian midfielder.
Losing him at this stage will come as a blow for the Eagles, as they may not have sufficient time to find a suitable replacement. Liverpool have kept contacts with Doucoure and could accelerate their efforts to agree on personal terms first and foremost.
The idea revolves around securing terms with the 23-year-old Premier League midfielder and negotiating with Palace. They are also planning a similar approach with another target, Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz, but getting the Brazilian will prove far more complex than Doucoure.
Hence, Doucoure seems like an achievable target right now, so this move could materialise before the deadline day. Doucoure will bring much-needed stability, with the 23-year-old Premier League midfielder packing plenty of experience and guile with his style.