Liverpool are looking to strengthen their midfield this summer, with Fabinho likely to move to Saudi Arabia.
Liverpool have reportedly chosen Crystal Palace star Cheick Doucour – who has been described as a midfielder who “can do it all” – as their target this summer.
But Doucoure could have been inaccessible had he joined Arsenal 12 months ago. The Mali international shone at Selhurst Park last season and although his impressive form has largely gone under the radar, he has now been identified by the Reds as a potential acquisition.
At the start of the summer transfer window, Jurgen Klopp made it clear that he needed to freshen up his midfield. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Naby Keita all departed, with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai replacing them.
However, Saudi Pro League interest in both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson has prompted Liverpool to scour the market for more defensive midfield recruits. Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips and Fulham’s Joao Palhinha have both been identified as possible targets, although other players are also being considered, including Doucoure, according to The Athletic.
The 23-year-old signed for Palace from RC Lens last summer in a contract worth £21m, although his performances with Patrick Vieira and Roy Hodgson have seen him double his worth.
It has been reported that Eagles will only receive offers in the region of £50million for the midfielder, using Romeo Lavia’s price tag at Southampton as a benchmark. Seeing Doucoure in a Liverpool shirt could be a tough pill to swallow for Mikel Arteta, who was eager to sign the midfielder last summer.
According to The Mirror, Arsenal were one of five clubs to express interest in the Lens academy graduate. Brighton and Everton were also among the clubs closely monitoring his situation.
However, Palace stole the pace from their rivals by promptly opening talks with Doucoure, with the temptation to work under Vieira proving decisive in the negotiation. And Liverpool are hoping joining Klopp proves equally attractive as they actively pursue the midfielder and look to secure a deal with Palace.
Seko Fofana, who recently moved to Saudi Arabia, has shared the pitch with Doucoure several times at Lens and has consistently praised the Malian man. Speaking last year, he explained: “Cheick can do everything on the pitch. He works in the shadows and that’s very important to me.
“He is incredibly complete. He is one of the best players I have played with. He can shoot from distance, pass, break lines, dribble and defend.”
