As reported by Andy Jones of The Athletic, Liverpool are interested in Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucouré.
However, having only signed the Mali International last summer from Lens for £26m plus add-ons, it is understood that The Eagles will only entertain a significant bid for the midfielder, as they view him as an important member of the squad.
The Anfield side’s interest in the 23-year-old follows his impressive first season at Selhurst Park, where he made 34 Premier League appearances and was voted as the fans player of the season. Furthermore, although they have already brought in Colombian Jefferson Lerma from Bournemouth on a free transfer, Roy Hodgson’s men would need to return to the market to replace Doucouré, should he be granted with a move away from London.
This news comes amid interest from Saudi Arabian clubs in Liverpool midfielders Fabinho and Jordan Henderson. Their club captain has reportedly verbally agreed to sign a £700,000 per week contract with Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq, whilst the Brazillian has been subject of a £40m bid from Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté’s new club Al Ittihad. As a result, Jones stated that The Reds have been ‘forced into’ considering potential midfield options to purchase this summer.
Jürgen Klopp’s side are said to have several names on their shortlist, namely Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips, Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat, Aston Villa’s Boubacar Kamara and Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch, whilst Romeo Lavia of Southampton has been the main player linked with a move to Anfield, however The Saints are understood to be demanding a fee of around £50m- a figure which Palace are using as a guidance for the valuation of Doucouré.
These potential moves would mark another part of what has been already been a significant midfield rebuild in the German manager’s squad this summer, with James Milner, Naby Keïta, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain having departed on free transfers, whilst exciting talents Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister have joined for just over €100m combined.
Travis Levison | Get Football
