Crystal Palace may use Southampton’s valuation of Romeo Lavia as an indication on Cheick Doucoure’s price.
Lavia is reportedly a top target for Liverpool as they aim to complete their midfield rebuild. But with Southampton looking for £50m to sell the 19-year-old, the Reds have been reluctant to make a concrete move.
Now, as per The Athletic, they are also targeting Doucoure. However, it isn’t going to be cheap to get him out of Selhurst Park.
It’s claimed that Palace could use Lavia’s price as a kind of yard-stick in any deal for the 23-year-old. At the very least, Roy Hodgson’s side would need a ‘significant sum’ to tempt them into selling Doucoure.
It’s also suggested that Palace would need to sort out a replacement for the Malian in order to sell him.
Nevertheless, Liverpool are reportedly keen to bring him to Anfield.
Liverpool target Doucoure
Although £50m is still a lot to pay for Doucoure, it actually sounds a little more reasonable than paying the same for Lavia.
They both have just one season of Premier League football under their belts, that’s true. However, the former Lens man has four further campaigns of senior football as evidence of his quality.
Still only 23, he’s the right age for Jurgen Klopp to kick his development up a notch or two. We like this signing, a lot.
Lavia may have a slightly higher ceiling than Doucoure, but he’s unlikely to be able to come in and start straight away for Liverpool. With Fabinho off, Klopp needs someone who can.
Although Doucoure has been playing for a smaller club than Liverpool, he’s definitely better placed to do that.
Having been signed for £26m just a year ago, a 50% rise may sound a decent sized one. But Doucoure was Palace’s Player of the Year and would be a big loss for them.
Given the kinds of prices been thrown around for other players – and midfielders in particular – this summer, we’d urge Liverpool to bite the bullet and pay it.
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