Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure believed that he could seal a transfer to Liverpool on Wednesday this week.
The Reds were claimed to be advancing in a move for the Malian earlier in the week. However, nothing further has since emerged.
Now, journalist Miguel Delaney has reported in his Reading The Game newsletter, that a transfer for Doucoure had looked potentially imminent. And could still happen.
Delaney reports that Jurgen Klopp is ‘insisting’ on a new No.6 for his team. As a result, Liverpool’s recruitment team are said to have ‘gone into overdrive’ over the course of the week.
That has resulted in the signing of Wataru Endo from Stuttgart, which was confirmed this afternoon. For a time on Wednesday, it’s claimed that Doucoure himself thought an immediate move could be possible. That didn’t end up happening, but reportedly still could, but only for the right price.
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This reads like an encouraging update for Liverpool fans hoping to see Doucoure brought in over the next two weeks. However, it actually may be completely the opposite.
In the end, Klopp did get his new No.6 on Wednesday. Endo is by all accounts a pretty pure defensive midfielder and has taken Fabinho’s old No.3 shirt upon signing.
Is that a sign that Liverpool have put aside all plans to bring in another?
Today, links have persisted to Ryan Gravenberch, but news of a player like Doucoure – or another defensive midfielder – has been sparce.
With Endo wrapped up, there will be a slight concern that that’s Liverpool done.
Of course, that may be totally fine. Endo may well prove to be a top signing capable of being the Reds’ first choice Fabinho replacement.
But until he can prove that, there will remain a fair bit of scepticism from fans. The smart idea would be to go and secure Doucoure alongside the Japan international. By the sounds of it he’s ready and waiting.