Watford have reportedly rejected Everton’s opening bid for Abdoulaye Doucoure. The Toffees are keen on signing the midfielder, and had made an initial bid that fell short of the Hornets’ asking price.
Following their relegation, some of Watford’s first-team stars might leave the club, and Everton are looking to take advantage of that.
Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly interested in adding Doucoure to the Everton squad, but the club will have to match Watford’s asking price of £25million, as per Evening Standard.
Doucoure signed with the Hornets in 2016 from Rennes, and became an integral part of the side. The 27-year-old Frenchman still has three years remaining on his current deal with the club, so the ball is firmly in their court when it comes to a transfer.
Abdoulaye Doucoure to Everton – Is he worth the fuss?
Everton, who finished a disappointing 12th in the 2019-20 Premier League season, need a few quality additions to their squad if they are to finish in the top ten, and eventually challenge for European positions.
(Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)
The Toffees struggled in central midfield last season, due to serious, long-term injuries to the likes of Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Andre Gomes.
Fabian Delph was also on the sidelines due to an injury, which forced manager Carlo Ancelotti into playing attacking midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson in central midfield on a few occasions. Morgan Schneiderlin has left the club, so Everton have one less option in the middle of the park.
A player like Abdoulaye Doucoure could be a good addition to the Everton squad ahead of the 2020-21 season. The Frenchman is a strong and powerful box-to-box midfielder, who offers something in defence and attack.
Capable of playing as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder or attacking midfielder, Doucoure’s quick, short passing, dribbling from the middle of the park, and his decent finishing makes him a good player going forward. He is also useful in defence, using his strength and physicality to good effect to dispossess opposition players.
Doucoure averaged a decent 1.7 tackles per game for Watford last season. The Frenchman could be a good fit alongside Andre Gomes in central midfield for Everton, as the former Barcelona player’s good passing range will complement Doucoure’s energy and tenacity.
The Watford midfielder’s Premier League experience will perhaps help him settle down quickly at Everton as well, so he would be a pretty good addition for the fee Watford are currently demanding.
Stats via Whoscored
