Cheick Doucoure’s transfer to Liverpool is reportedly moving closer after a reliable source claimed the Crystal Palace player is “keen” on making the switch this summer.
The Reds’ summer transfer window is already turning into a bit of a nightmare story. They had to start the 2023/24 season with just two new arrivals, leaving them four men short in their engine room due to the loss of six midfielders from their pool from the previous season.
And even though Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister are both great additions, it is obvious that more support is needed. The attempts to sign Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, however, both failed, much to Jurgen Klopp’s dismay.
The failure to sign Lavia is undoubtedly a sore spot at Anfield. Liverpool finally gave in to Southampton’s demands and paid the teenager’s asking price after seeing two bids rejected by a tenacious Southampton. However, the delay in finalizing his deal allowed Chelsea, who had made a better offer than Liverpool, to outbid them for his services.
The Belgian appears to have been ‘bemused’ by Liverpool’s offer, which explains why that epic transfer failure to sign Lavia.
As a result, Liverpool has less time left in current transfer window to add more players. Additionally, Liverpool can be obliged to pay more than the asking price of possible targets if other teams notice their desperation.
Since joining Selhurst Park for £18 million from Lens last summer, the Malian has proven to be a revelation. He has been an excellent performer for the Eagles, defeating Michael Olise and Wilfried Zaha to win his club’s player of the year award.
But it appears as though he just has one season left in south-west London.
Delaney also claims that sources at Liverpool think a deal for the 23-year-old can be reached quite quickly. Doucoure was actually valued at around £70 million when Liverpool’s interest first surfaced earlier this summer.
Delaney has learned that Liverpool, though, thinks they can close a deal for more than £50 million but less than £60 million.
The Reds are currently “stepping up their efforts” to get the 12-time international cap to Anfield as a result.
Doucoure is apparently “keen to move to Anfield” and has previously indicated that personal terms “wouldn’t be an issue” if asked to move to Merseyside.
Although a deal will probably not be finalized before the weekend, there seems to be hope that the defensive midfielder will be signed in time to make his debut in the intriguing-looking match at Newcastle on Sunday, August 27.
For Klopp, who now aims to push through the signing at the earliest opportunity, the news will be a huge source of relief.
Although the news may seem good for Liverpool, it will be yet another setback for Palace. Galatasaray already claimed free agent Zaha from Roy Hodgson’s team, and Chelsea have exercised Michael Olise’s £35 million release clause.
