Everton have lined up Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure as their number one choice to replace Idrissa Gana Gueye this month if the Toffees star departs Goodison Park, according to France Football.
The reputable French publication claim that with the 29-year-old Everton man being lined up by Paris St-Germain Marco Silva’s men are looking to reunite their manager with his former central star, as well as summer signing Richarlison.
However it is stated that the Hornets have valued Doucoure at a price of £43.9million (€50million) and that his price tag has put a halt to any chance of this transfer merry-go-round progressing.
Good move for Everton?
At 29-years-old, Gueye is in the prime of his career and is only going to end up going downhill in a couple of years as time catches up with him.
Doucoure meanwhile is three years younger and dazzling in the Premier League with Watford and with Silva’s knowledge of what he is going to bring to his team, there is really no risk with his capture.
The real question might be just how long is Silva going to stick around at Goodison Park, pressure mounting over his future.
Regardless of that though, the Watford man would be a good signing for Doucoure, bringing the same sort of energy and dynamism that has made Gueye such a success.
This is Futbol rating: 8.5/10
Likely to happen?
Unfortunately for the Toffees, this does not look like it is going to happen.
Doucoure’s asking price is a hefty one but the real issue is that the Hornets still have some bad blood after what happened with Silva last year and their poaching of Richarlison.
They would rather sell elsewhere than to their rivals and so Everton are not likely to get a hold of him.
This is Futbol rating: 3/10