Everton transfer stance on Abdoulaye Doucoure after Saudi Arabia interest emerges
Abdoulaye Doucoure has emerged as one of Sean Dyche and Everton's most important players
Everton would be determined to keep Abdoulaye Doucoure should he become the subject of serious interest in the closing stages of January.
The midfielder is reportedly being targeted by Al-Ettifaq, the Saudi Arabia Pro League club managed by Steven Gerrard.
The side is said to be seeking a replacement in midfield following the departure of Jordan Henderson, who has just completed a move to Ajax after his controversial stint ended after just half a season.
While Doucoure may be among the names the club is tracking, the ECHO understands Everton would be reluctant to consider the 31-year-old’s departure should any interest develop. The player has previously stated he wishes to finish his career in England.
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Doucoure has emerged as one of Everton’s most important players after a spectacular resurgence in the past 12 months. He spent the final days of Frank Lampard’s reign frozen out of first team plans. When Sean Dyche was appointed just over one year ago, the new manager immediately brought Doucoure into his starting line-up for his first match in charge, the 1-0 win over Arsenal.
Neither Doucoure nor Dyche has looked back. The former Watford player has since written his name into Everton folklore after scoring some of the most important goals in the club’s modern history. Doucoure opened the scoring in the shock 5-1 win at Brighton and Hove Albion that allowed Everton to maintain control of the club’s destiny in last season’s relegation battle and then secured survival with the winning strike against Bournemouth on the final day of the campaign.
Doucoure, awarded two contract extensions across 2023, has added six more Premier League goals this season. His absence due to a hamstring injury during the festive fixture list was keenly felt and he is currently sidelined again after suffering an issue with his other hamstring this week, sparking concern over the impact his absence could have.
Doucoure’s importance to the club is not lost on Dyche and, as a result, he is not a player Everton would be open to selling this month. Whether Al-Ettifaq will put that resolve to the test remains to be seen but Gerrard’s side is not thought to have made a formal offer at this stage.
The club is currently eighth in the Pro League, 28 points behind leaders Al-Hilal. Everton have had dealings with the club before, having sold Demarai Gray after his Blues career ended in a public falling out with the club that saw his departure during the opening weeks of this season.