Cheick Doucoure Linked with Move to Anfield as Liverpool Look to Rebuild Midfield
Liverpool have been busy in the transfer window this summer, and it looks like they are not done yet. The latest name to be linked with a move to Anfield is Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure. The 23-year-old made 34 Premier League appearances last season, and was named the Eagles’ Player of the Season in 2022/23.
The Reds have already moved quickly to secure the services of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai early in the window following a number of exits. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner all departed Anfield on a free at the start of the summer, with both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson both looking destined for the Middle East as things stand.
The signings of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai have helped the manager replenish the more traditional centre midfield positions, but the common suggestion is that further reinforcements are needed at the base of midfield. The seemingly imminent exit of Fabinho has accentuated that requirement, with Benfica’s Florentino Luis recently touted as a serious option for the current transfer window.
Doucoure is now reported to be one of a number of defensive midfielders currently on Liverpool’s radar, with the Echo’s Ian Doyle listing the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Romeo Lavia as being among the others. Doyle has indicated that the Reds’ preference is to sign a young player to fill the No. 6 position and Doucoure could fit that bill aged just 23.
It looks as though it will be a busy couple of weeks for new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke and the rest of the recruitment team as they look to get Liverpool into the best possible shape for the start of the season despite all of the moving parts still at play. Doucoure’s name hasn’t come up in too many conversations regarding the Reds’ midfield rebuild thus far, but his profile could be something that would be of interest to the manager as he looks to find the ‘next’ Fabinho.
Liverpool have been searching for a long-term replacement for Fabinho since his departure from Anfield, and Doucoure could be a viable option. He has already proven himself in the Premier League, and his age means he could develop further under Jurgen Klopp’s tutelage. He is also a versatile player who can play both in defensive and attacking roles, which could be useful for Liverpool as they look to rebuild their midfield.
At 23, Doucoure is still relatively young and has plenty of time to develop his game further. He has already shown his quality in the Premier League, and if he were to make the move to Anfield he could become an important part of Klopp’s squad.
Whether or not Doucoure will make the move to Merseyside remains to be seen, but it is clear that Liverpool are looking to strengthen their midfield ahead of next season. Doucoure could be an ideal fit for Klopp’s side, and it will be interesting to see if this story develops further in the coming weeks.