MX23RW : Sunday, April 28 00:28:27| >> :120:21005:21005:

Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure 'attracting interest amid contract talks'

Everton's Doucoure 'attracting interest amid contract talks'
© Reuters
Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure is reportedly attracting interest from clubs around Europe, despite talks of him signing a new contract at Goodison Park.

Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure has reportedly been attracting attention from clubs around Europe, despite talks over a new deal at Goodison Park.

Doucoure has been ever-present for the Toffees this season, and played the full 90 minutes for a third successive game in their win over West Ham United on Sunday.

The 30-year-old has been one of the most productive players in the Everton side since Sean Dyche's arrival, scoring eight goals and setting up a further three since the former Burnley boss arrived in January.

Mali international Doucoure was also responsible for arguably Everton's most important Premier League goal in years, when he fired in the winner against Bournemouth on the final day of last season to seal top-flight survival.

However, Doucoure's contract at Goodison expires at the end of the season, leaving him open to agree a potential pre-contract agreement with another club come January.

Fabrizio Romano claimed last week that the club are in talks over a deal which will see Doucoure sign on until the summer of 2025, with an option of extending that until 2026.

Doucoure was out of contract this summer, but Everton activated a clause in his deal that saw it extend for another 12 months.

Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure celebrates scoring their first goal with Conor Coady, Demarai Gray and Alex Iwobi on May 28, 2023© Reuters

However, Shamoon Hafez states that the player has offers on the table from around Europe should a deal not be agreed.

Speaking on the topic, manager Dyche said: "We are ongoing with all the players and their agents, keeping in the loop with them."

Hafez does admit that the likeliest outcome is that Doucoure will sign a new deal at the Goodison though, thanks to his close relationship with the club.

Doucoure has endured fluctuating feelings during his spell at Everton since joining from Watford in 2020.

After being signed alongside James Rodriguez and Allan by Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian manager utilised Doucoure in a much different role to the one that he enjoys now - playing deeper in midfield as opposed to just off the central striker.

Doucoure was given more freedom to attack in Rafael Benitez's short tenure at the club, but he was then virtually frozen out by Frank Lampard and barely featured during his 12 months at the club.

There is no doubting Doucoure's importance to the side now though, as Dyche has started him in all of Everton's 10 Premier League games so far this season, with the win on Sunday taking them to 15th, five points clear of trouble.

ID:527786:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4170:

Click here for more stories about Abdoulaye Doucoure

Click here for more stories about Everton

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Leeds United's Wilfried Gnonto pictured after scoring their first goal February 8, 2023
Read Next:
Everton 'have third bid rejected for Wilfried Gnonto'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Manchester CityMan City33237380324876
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
9Chelsea33139116359448
10Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
11Bournemouth34129134960-1145
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton331111115254-244
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!