Liverpool are reportedly considering a shock move for Crystal Palace star Cheick Doucoure, as Jurgen Klopp eyes more midfield recruits.
The Merseyside club look destined to sell both Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi clubs this summer, so replacements for the duo will have to be brought in.
Liverpool expect to return around £50m from those sales, so Klopp will have to spend those transfer funds wisely.
The manager has already brought in Alexis Mac Allister and has plenty of other midfield targets on his radar.
As previously reported by Football365, four midfielders on Liverpool’s shortlist are Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, Fiorentina’s Soyfan Amrabat, Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch and Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips.
It’s worth noting that there are plenty of other clubs in the race for those players, though.
As a result, it seems that Liverpool have identified a new target in their pursuit of a new defensive-minded midfielder.
According to Football Insider, Doucoure has ‘caught the eye of the Anfield transfer chiefs’ after a solid first season at Selhurst Park.
The Mali international signed for Crystal Palace from Lens last summer for a reported fee of £21m.
Doucoure has made 35 appearances across all competitions for the Eagles so far. He is yet to score a goal but made three assists last term.
Operating generally as a defensive midfielder, the 23-year-old’s best attributes are tackling, interceptions and his passing.
In fact, Doucoure notched more tackles and interceptions than any other Palace player – and averaged the fourth-most interceptions of any Premier League star (per 90 mins).
With that in mind, he could be an ideal replacement for players like Fabinho and Henderson, but he won’t come cheap.
Doucoure is under contract until 2027, so Crystal Palace are under no immediate pressure to sell him.
Football Insider do not state how much Liverpool would have to pay to sign the Malian. It’s fair to assume, though, that the London club would be looking to make a significant profit on their £21m investment.
Transfermarkt value Doucoure at approximately £35m. But other Premier League defensive midfielders like Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo are valued at around the £100m mark, so a much higher bid would likely be required from Liverpool to force a sale.
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