Liverpool’s summer long pursuit of fresh midfield options continues with Cheick Doucoure being linked with a late move to Anfield. However Crystal Palace are understandably reluctant to let the Mali man leave so late in the window. Here’s the latest with the potential Cheick Doucoure Liverpool transfer.
The 23 year old may not have been Liverpool’s top defensive midfield target but having seen Moisés Caicedo and Romeo Lavia both opt for Chelsea, Doucoure has emerged as an alternative option for the Reds in that area of the pitch.
It was a very impressive debut Premier League season for Doucoure who joined Palace from Lens last summer in a £21m deal. He would go on to start 34 times for the South London club in the league last term and was voted the club’s player of the year thanks to his strong performances in the middle of the park.
Doucoure has played every minute so far in the Premier League this term too with Roy Hodgson’s side taking 4 points from their opening 3 games. However he was not even in the squad for the EFL Cup win at Plymouth on Tuesday night leading to some online speculation that an imminent exit may have been behind his omission, although there is little indication that Palace are actively looking to sell a player who is so important to them.
Cheick Doucoure Liverpool transfer – Latest update
🥇| Liverpool remain interested in Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure but are currently put off by the asking price. [@MiguelDelaney] pic.twitter.com/KPAUocZ0fe
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) August 29, 2023
Crystal Palace are widely reported as having placed a £70m valuation on the midfielder which would see them make close to a £50m profit on a player they bought only twelve months ago. They are unlikely to go below that figure which for now at least appears to be an amount Liverpool are unwilling to meet.
There has been little concrete information suggesting this deal has progressed since Liverpool’s initial interest emerged. However the final hours of the transfer window can be frantic affairs where deals suddenly get done very quickly.
There are a lot of things that need to fall into place for this transfer to go through. Firstly, Liverpool would need to decide to go all out for Doucoure and meet Palace’s asking price.
That’s only likely should they abandon plans to sign other midfield targets such as Ryan Gravenberch who would be cheaper and more attainable. Currently, Gravenberch looks a more likely late midfield addition for Liverpool with the Bayern man having reportedly held talks with Jurgen Klopp ahead of a potential deadline day move.
Should the Gravenberch deal fall through, Liverpool could seek to table a big late bid for Doucoure but that would still be dependent on Crystal Palace giving it the green light. The Eagles could decide they simply cannot afford to lose a player of Doucoure’s calibre and importance in the final hours of the window, even if Liverpool are able to stump up a £70m offer.
