OPINION
Watford have had a topsy-turvy season to say the least, but one constant for the Hornets has been the performances of midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure.
The Frenchman has been in the form of his life for Watford all season, having netted seven goals and provided three assists from a defensive midfield position.
His consistent performances in Hertfordshire have inevitably attracted the attention of the country’s biggest clubs, with Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal all linked with the 25-year-old midfield general.
And the Watford midfielder has not exactly been silent on his ambitions, conducting several interviews in the French press about his future.
The latest gave the clearest indication yet of Doucoure’s preferred next move, with the midfielder saying, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo: “Liverpool is a club that needs no introduction. I was impatient to play there at Anfield, I wanted to feel the atmosphere. For me, it would be a dream to play in a club like this.
“I am grateful to Watford, I have the confidence of this club, it is the one who revealed me [to the Premier League]. If there is an offer, we will discuss to find the best solution. Everyone wants to play in the Champions League, the big competitions.”
It is clear that Doucoure would love a move to Liverpool, and Jurgen Klopp would be stupid to ignore the midfielder’s come-and-get-me plea.
It looks as though Emre Can is on his way out of Anfield this summer, with the German midfielder heavily linked with Juventus after failing to agree a new deal with Liverpool.
While Naby Keita is due to arrive from RB Leipzig, there is a definite need for more central midfield reinforcements at the club.
James Milner is getting on and Jordan Henderson will never really be the midfielder that Reds fans are looking for to line up at the heart of their side.
Doucoure would be a brilliant addition to the squad with his strong running, pinpoint passing and right-footed piledrivers, with room to develop under Klopp at 25 years old.
It is a no-brainer for Liverpool as they attempt to build a title-winning squad next season, and Klopp must realise that before Doucoure is inevitably snapped up by a close rival.