Liverpool are exploring a move for Crystal Palace midfielder as Fabinho nears Anfield exit

Liverpool plotting a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure

As per Football Insider (h/t Liverpool Echo), Liverpool are exploring a possible move for Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure this summer.

After losing James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for free at the start of the summer, the Reds may lose two more midfielders in the coming days.

Fabinho is all but gone to Saudi Arabia club Al-Ittihad while Jordan Henderson has agreed a move to fellow Middle eastern club Al-Ettifaq with a transfer fee agreement

Although the club has signed Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister to make up for the earlier losses, the latest departures would most certainly push them towards signing an experienced defensive midfielder.

Liverpool are in the race for Southampton’s Romeo Lavia. The young Belgian is a fantastic player but with only one season of senior football behind him.

The new transfer target – Doucoure, was a first-team at French side Lens before moving to Crystal Palace last summer. He made 34 league appearances for the Eagles last season and was impressive in his defensive midfield role.

The Mali international is a number six who can play as a centre-back too. He is defensively solid, does not shirk away from physical and aerial battles and is a decent passer of the ball.

Doucoure is still a young player (23) who is finding his feet in Premier League football. It would make little sense to replace someone like Fabinho with a young player with not a lot of experience in English football.

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As promising as the Malian is, Liverpool should look past the possibility of signing him and look for better options in the market. It is better to take some time before finalising a target rather than panicking and buying someone for the sake of it.