Serie A giants Juventus are weighing up a move for out-of-favour Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure.
The Mali international, whose contract expires in the summer of 2023, is free to talk to potential suitors from outside of the Premier League from January 1st, and could be part of a shake-up in Turin as Max Allegri looks to freshen up his midfield options.
The former Watford man has also been linked with a reunion with Marco Silva as Fulham eye up an approach for the 29-year-old, who has fallen down the pecking order at Goodison Park so far this season.
Frank Lampard reinforced his midfield options at Everton during the summer transfer window, with Amadou Onana and James Garner joining the club, alongside Idrissa Gana Gueye who returned to Merseyside following a 3-year stint a PSG.
Consequently, Doucoure’s playing time has been very limited throughout the campaign, and as he enters the final 6 months of his current deal, it seems unlikely that the option of a 1-year extension will be triggered.
Signed for a reported fee of £20 million in the summer of 2020 when Carlo Ancelotti breathed new life into Everton’s line-up, Doucs initially established a sound relationship with Brazilian international Allan, who has also since departed the club for United Arab Emirates side Al Wahda.
Indeed, Doucs has featured just 8 times in the league so far this season, starting on just 2 occasions.
Having made 30 appearances last term and 29 the year before that, it is clear that the one-time midfield stalwart in not fancied by Lampard.
Meanwhile, Everton once again find themselves in a precarious position, just 1 point above the relegation zone and 2 points from bottom, as another scrap for survival looms for the Toffees. Lampard’s business in the January transfer window will no doubt be vital in determining the outcome of the season.