Liverpool have offered Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure a contract, as they try to hammer out a deal for the Malian.
Doucoure has emerged as one of the players most likely to move to Anfield over the next couple of days. But with less than 48 hours of the window now remaining, things are going to have to happen quickly.
Well, according to Sport Zone, they are now moving in that direction. The French outlet claim that Liverpool have been in touch with the 23-year-old to make him a proposal.
It’s claimed that the Reds are keen to sign another specialist defensive midfielder, with Doucoure one of the options being looked at.
However, the Palace man reportedly isn’t the only one in Liverpool’s sights. Sport Zone claim that Jurgen Klopp and co want to ‘vary’ their options, with Doucoure ‘not alone’ in being spoken to.
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Liverpool looking for late business
So, the summer all boils down to this. Pretty much from the turn of the year Liverpool have been linked with midfielder after midfielder.
But having brought in three shiny new ones already, the feeling is that they still need to do another.
If their business is finished with Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo, it can’t in good faith be called a poor window.
But just look at the names who have left: Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Naby Keita, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Roberto Firmino, Fabio Carvalho.
Looking at the squad, Liverpool are clearly short. They have to make some concrete moves right now, or risk another struggle of a season.
If they manage to bring in a player like Doucoure, it will have been a success. Yes, a centre-half is still badly needed, and there isn’t much excuse not to have done that. But midfield was always the priority.
In Doucoure, they have a player who could potentially play as a specialist No.6, or a little further forward, too. His debut season at Palace was labelled ‘superb’ [Evening Standard], and he could take Liverpool up a level. But for that, the Reds are going to have to pay. Keep those phone lines open, Liverpool!