In order to continue their quest for a new defensive midfielder, Liverpool has reportedly switched their focus to Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure.
The 23-year-old’s name was put on a lengthy shortlist in July when Fabinho’s departure was all but certain.
Prior to a £21 million summer transfer to Palace, the midfielder was being keenly studied by Liverpool while playing for Lens. Since then, he has done no less than impress.
In his first season at Selhurst Park, Doucoure played 35 times and was elected Palace’s Player of the Year by the fans. This season, he has already accrued 90 minutes in the victory over Sheffield United.
Now that the Reds have passed on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, Miguel Delaney of the Independent has stated that they have “identified” Doucoure as their next target and are “stepping up their efforts.”
Although his price tag had previously been suggested to be at least £70 million, Delaney claims that the 23-year-old is “likely to be cheaper” than both Caicedo (£115 million) and Lavia (£58 million).
The Malian is rumored to have a final asking price of less than £50 million, and more crucially, after receiving two public rejections, it is believed that he is “keen to move to Anfield” and that personal terms won’t “be an issue.”
The player’s approval will be important because the Reds just saw two targets leave for Chelsea.
Palace will undoubtedly negotiate hard for the best price, though, in light of the huge exits this summer.
They lost veteran players James McArthur and Luka Milivojevic on free transfers, as well as Wilfried Zaha, while Chelsea exercised Michael Olise’s release clause.
The report also mentions Khephren Thuram of Nice and Joao Paulinha of Fulham as potential candidates.
