Senior Everton star’s departure likely as Euro giant eye replacement for Tottenham, Man Utd target
Italian giants Juventus are considering a move for Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, with the Mali international reportedly allowed to leave Goodison Park in January.
Doucoure seems to have fallen out of favour with Blues boss Frank Lampard and Juve could look to sign him as a replacement for Adrien Rabiot, who is being linked with moves to Tottenham, Manchester United and Newcastle.
Everton are in desperate need of transfer funds to do their own business this winter, so a departure is looking increasingly likely.
After signing for Everton on a £22m deal from Watford in 2020, Doucoure has made a total of 76 appearances across all competitions for the Toffees, scoring five goals and providing seven assists.
Doucoure has enjoyed periods of fine form at times, playing particularly well under Carlo Ancelotti and at the beginning of Rafa Benitez’s short stint on the blue half of Merseyside.
However, since Lampard’s arrival, Doucoure has played infrequently and when he’s got an opportunity, has often struggled on the pitch.
Indeed, the midfielder has made just one start in the Premier League this season and most recently put in a dismal performance in Everton’s 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup.
As a result, Everton are reportedly willing to let the 29-year-old leave in the upcoming transfer window.
Juventus eye Doucoure as potential Rabiot replacement
According to Italian outlet CMW, Juventus could sign Doucoure as a replacement for Rabiot, who could be heading to the Premier League this winter.
As reported by TEAMtalk, Spurs, Manchester United and Newcastle are currently battling to sign the Juve midfielder.
Rabiot is out of contract at the end of the season and is likely to move on, with an agreement on an extension looking unlikely. Additionally, in the past, he has made no secret of his desire to play in the English top flight.
While Juventus are desperate to keep hold of their midfielder, Spurs have reportedly moved ahead of the competition after tabling a lucrative proposition to the Old Lady.
With that in mind, Doucoure, whose contract expires in the summer of 2023, is free to talk to potential suitors from outside of the Premier League from January 1 and could be part of a shake-up in Turin as Max Allegri looks to freshen up his ranks.
A versatile, effective player on his day, the Mali international has the ability to play as an attacking, central or defensive midfielder, with the energy to get up and down the pitch with ease.
With his contract running down, Everton will be looking to cash in on their midfielder while they still can, so if Juventus do lose Rabiot, they may well make a move for Doucoure.
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