Liverpool intensify efforts to sign £60m Prem man as Klopp finally finds midfielder ‘keen’ on move

Liverpool are reportedly ‘stepping up their efforts’ to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure, with the midfielder ‘keen to move to Anfield’ unlike previous options.

The Reds have had quite the reality check over the past few weeks. Their efforts to sign a new holding midfielder seemed to have come to fruition as they agreed upon a £110million transfer for Moises Caicedo.

However, the Brighton midfielder turned them down, as he preferred to move to Chelsea. Jurgen Klopp’s side then bid £60million for Romeo Lavia – £10million more than Southampton wanted – and he too is set to move to Stamford Bridge instead.

That’s left the Reds scrambling for a new midfielder, having started the season without an anchor in the middle of the park. It’s reported Palace’s Doucoure is among the options they are looking at.

That move is one that Klopp’s side are looking to progress. According to the Independent, Liverpool are ‘stepping up their efforts’ to sign Doucoure.

While it’s previously been suggested Palace wouldn’t let him go for under £70million, that report states the midfielder’s ‘final price could come in at under £60million’. However, it is said Palace are ‘wary of losing too many players’.

That might have an impact on how much money they ask for from the Reds. Of course, sides know they’re desperate for a midfielder, and have money to burn, after attempting to overpay for both Caicedo and Lavia.

One thing that will be a positive for the Reds is Doucoure’s willingness to join them. It’s said he’s ‘keen to move to Anfield, so personal terms would not be an issue’.

After actually having agreed a deal for Caicedo and being shut down, and not getting to that stage for Lavia, as both would have rather joined Chelsea, finding a midfielder that actually wants to join will be a relief for them.

If another big name was to come in for Doucoure, who knows if he’d still favour a move to the Reds. In any case, they’d be getting a good player, and one that’s very much needed.

The midfielder won Palace’s player of the season last campaign, ahead of star names such as Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise.

There’s no reason to suggest he couldn’t have a similar impact on the Liverpool side as he has had during his time at Selhurst Park.

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