Liverpool are reportedly assessing the possibility of tabling a lucrative offer for Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure.
As per The Athletic, the uncertainty surrounding the futures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson has made the Reds review their midfield options.
Fabinho failed to make Jurgen Klopp’s squad that took a pre-season trip to Germany to meet Bundesliga 2. outfit Karlsruher on Wednesday.
The Brazilian is a subject of advanced interest from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad. Liverpool have already received a £40 million bid from the reigning Saudi Arabia champions.
With talks progressing well, the 29-year-old seems close to halting his five-year spell at Anfield to embrace the riches of the loaded Gulf country.
Henderson’s situation is slightly different.
Unlike Fabinho, who’s not overly excited about leaving Europe at his peak powers, the 33-year-old Englishman has agreed personal terms with Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq.
The Liverpool captain has accepted an insane three-year contract worth a staggering £700,000 per week, but the Saudis have yet to strike a deal with the Reds.
Al-Ettifaq’s idea was to either sign Henderson on a free transfer or pay Liverpool as low as £10m, while the Merseysiders are holding out for £20m.
Either way, Klopp is on the cusp of losing at least one midfield stalwart in the coming weeks, which would render Alexis Mac Allister’s arrival from Brighton & Hove Albion insufficient.
That’s where Doucoure comes in.
Palace shelled out £26m last summer, including add-ons, to lure the 23-year-old away from Lens.
And the Mali international exceeded all expectations, making 34 Premier League appearances en route to being named the fans’ player of the season for 2022/23.
Liverpool have noticed Doucoure’s impressive form in London and could make a bid for him soon if Fabinho’s proposed move to Al-Ittihad goes through.
Southampton’s Romeo Lavia is another name on Klopp’s list, although the Saints’ stratospheric £50m valuation of their sought-after youngster could scare the Reds away.
However, Palace may use Southampton’s asking price as a metric to determine the cost of Doucoure’s potential exit, which would land a blow on the Merseysiders’ plans.
