By Fraser Fletcher, Transfer Correspondent

17th Aug, 2023 | 5:11pm

Sources: Crystal Palace braced for Cheick Doucoure bid from Liverpool after midfielder terms agreed

Crystal Palace are braced for a bid from Liverpool for midfielder Cheick Doucoure, sources have told Football Insider.

The Eagles are expecting the Merseyside club to submit an offer for the 23-year-old after they expressed interest in recent days.

The Reds have stepped up their pursuit of another midfielder signing after Football Insider first revealed they had shortlisted Doucoure as a top target on 17th July.

It comes after the Merseysiders also agreed a deal for Stuttgart midfielder Wataru Endo.

Jurgen Klopp is eager to rebuild his Liverpool midfield this summer after losing the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita in the space of one window.

Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have already joined Klopp’s squad this summer and Doucoure remains a top target as they look to add a defensive midfielder to their roster.

Doucoure was defensively superb for Palace during the 2022/23 campaign, making 79 tackles and completing 56 interceptions from midfield.

He made 35 appearances across all competitions for the London side last season and registered three assists.

Doucoure was named in Roy Hodgson’s starting lineup for Palace’s opening game of the season against Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon, and the Mali international played the full 90 minutes in the 1-0 win.

Palace are likely to make a profit on Doucoure if they do decide to sell him this summer, with the Eagles signing him from French side Lens last summer for £21million.

Doucoure penned a five-year deal at Palace after completing the move, so the London side are under no pressure to accept Liverpool’s terms.

In other news, Killian Phillips agrees new Crystal Palace deal ahead of Wycombe Wanderers loan