Liverpool ‘learn asking price’ to sign Crystal Palace star Cheick Doucoure as transfer eyed
Liverpool have been informed of the asking price to sign Crystal Palace star Cheick Doucoure, according to a new report.
Doucoure emerged as a potential target for the Reds earlier this week, Jordan Hendersosn’ move to Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq edged closer.
And with Liverpool also in talks with Al Ittihad over a potential £40 million sale of Fabinho, Jurgen Klopp’s side will need to return to the transfer market for reinforcements if those moves go through.
The Reds haven’t been short of links, with Romeo Lavia, Federico Valverde and Marco Verratti just three names that the club are rumoured to be interested in signing.
But The Athletic reported on Wednesday that Palace midfielder Doucoure had emerged as another option.
The Mali international, who moved to Selhurst Park from Lens last summer, impressed in his first season of Premier League football.
The report claimed that Palace may look to Southampton’s £50 million valuation of Lavia as a guide for their own asking price – but it appears they are demanding a significantly higher sum.
Liverpool ‘learn Doucoure asking price’
According to the Daily Mail, Palace value Doucoure at between £70 and £80 million – a higher sum than the Reds paid to sign Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig earlier in the window.
It is added that the 23-year-old is seen as ‘central’ to Palace’s plans to push into the top 10 of the Premier League under Roy Hodgson this season.
The Eagles are yet to spend a transfer fee this summer, while star player Wilfried Zaha is currently a free agent after his contract expired on June 30.
Any sale of Doucoure would represent a significant blow for Palace, despite the free transfer signing of defensive midfielder Jefferson Lerma from Bournemouth at the beginning of the window.
And at such a high valuation, Liverpool may well have to turn their attentions elsewhere – unless they are prepared to at least spend the sum of money received if Fabinho and Henderson depart.
Liverpool are plotting a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure, it has been claimed.
The Reds have been linked with a spate of midfielders amid the looming departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.
The former has not travelled with the Liverpool squad to their training camp in Germany after the club received a £40million offer from Al-Ittihad for the Brazilian.
The Saudi Pro League side placed their bid on Friday night and Fabinho has been permitted to have a medical and negotiate with his prospective new side before completing the move.
Meanwhile, Henderson has received interest from Al-Ettifaq, who are managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
The Reds captain, who still has two years remaining on his current deal, is part of the squad that has travelled to Germany, with the Anfield side yet to have received a bid for the 33-year-old.
Nevertheless, it appears Liverpool have a contingency plan for both players’ imminent departures, with the club having been linked to Nice’s Khephren Thuram and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia in recent days.
According to Football Insider, Liverpool are also exploring a potential move for Palace midfielder Doucoure.
The publication’s “well-placed source” has claimed the 23-year-old midfielder is catching the eye of the Anfield transfer chiefs.
It is believed Doucoure would be brought in to fill the defensive midfield position which is set to be vacated by Fabinho.
Doucoure will likely cost a significant transfer fee, however, having only been signed from Lens last summer for £21million.
The Mali international made quite the impression in his first Premier League campaign, beating Michael Olise and England duo Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze to win the club’s Player of the Season award.
Doucoure is under contract until June 2027, having made 35 appearances across all competitions for the south Londoners, notching three assists.
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