Liverpool have now submitted a bid to Crystal Palace for Cheick Doucoure with Jurgen Klopp using Romeu Lavia’s transfer to Chelsea as a guide for his latest midfield target.
That is according to The Guardian, which reports that Liverpool have advanced their efforts to sign Doucoure with a formal bid. But the Anfield natives’ offer falls well below the asking price that Crystal Palace set the Reds. So, a deal for the 23-year-old’s move is not imminent.
Liverpool have identified the 12-cap Mali midfielder as their latest midfield target after they failed to secure Lavia’s transfer. He nor Southampton appreciated the Merseysiders’ attempt to get a discounted deal after a series of low-ball offers. Instead, Lavia is due to join Chelsea.
Liverpool are using Lavia’s transfer to Chelsea to target Doucoure
Chelsea have also beaten Liverpool to the transfer of Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion. The Stamford Bridge side fended off competition from the Reds to improve Mauricio Pochettino’s squad. Caicedo joined for £100m, rising to £115m, and Lavia should now follow.
A transfer is in place between Southampton and Chelsea for Lavia after the Saints accepted the Blues’ £58m offer. He will cost the west London club an initial £53m plus add-ons. Klopp now feels that has set Liverpool a guide price to get Doucoure’s transfer from Crystal Palace.
Anfield chiefs have tabled a £58m bid to the Selhurst Park side for the midfielder. Doucoure cost Crystal Palace just £18m, rising to £21m with add-ons, to sign from RC Lens in only July 2022. But the Eagles now feel the Bamako-born anchor is worth at least £70m this summer.
Doucoure, who Seko Fofana called ‘irreplaceable’ at Lens, is under contract in south London until June 2027. He agreed to a five-year deal to seal a switch to Selhurst Park under Patrick Vieira last year. The 5 ft 10 enforcer has since played in 36 fixtures and offered three assists.
It is extremely unlikely that Crystal Palace accept Liverpool’s bid for Doucoure with the Reds targeting yet another low-ball transfer. But Klopp will hope the offer opens a door to further negotiations. It just remains to be seen if the Reds opt to bridge the £12m gap in valuations.
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