By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

17th Jul, 2023 | 12:21pm

Sources: Liverpool turn attention to signing Doucoure to replace Fabinho

Liverpool are exploring a potential move for Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure, sources have told Football Insider.

The Merseysiders are drawing up a list of targets as midfield duo Jordan Henderson and Fabinho close in on respective moves to Saudi Arabia.

Football Insider revealed on Monday (17 July) that Liverpool expect to lose both stars this week for a combined fee of around £50million – with Henderson and Fabinho now completing the formalities of their transfers.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Doucoure, 23, is catching the eye of Anfield transfer chiefs.

It is believed he could be signed to replace Fabinho in the defensive midfield role he made his own during his five-year spell at Liverpool.

The Mali international signed for Crystal Palace from Lens just last summer (2022) for a reported fee of £21million.

He made a big impact in his first season in English football, beating the likes of Marc Guehi and Michael Olise to win Palace’s Player of the Season award for the 2022-23 campaign.

Doucoure, who is under contract until June 2027, made 35 appearances across all competitions for the Eagles, notching three assists.

He earns a reported wage of £60,000-a-week at Selhurst Park.

As per FBRef, the 12-cap Mali international notched more tackles and interceptions than any other Palace player – and averaged the fourth-most interceptions of any Premier League star (per 90 mins).

Liverpool have already lost James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the midfield area this summer.

Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp’s side have moved to add Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in the transfer window.

In other news, Liverpool make new move for Serie A defender.