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Sources: Liverpool £70m target Doucoure could be out for the rest of the season
Crystal Palace midfielder and Liverpool target Cheick Doucoure could be out for the rest of the 2023-24 campaign after suffering an Achilles tendon injury, sources have told Football Insider.
The 23-year-old has been so important to Roy Hodgson’s side since his arrival from Lens in July 2022.
His performances in the 2022-23 campaign, his first in England, caught the attention of Liverpool and he was a top target for Jurgen Klopp’s side in the summer window.
It is believed Doucoure remains on the Merseysiders’ radar – but a deal is now impossible in January following his injury blow.
Football Insider revealed in August that Palace placed a £70million price tag on the midfielder following enquiries from Liverpool.
The 12-cap Mali international will also miss his nation’s African Cup of Nations campaign in the new year.
He had made 12 appearances across all competitions for Palace so far in the 2023-24 campaign but was forced off in the 2-1 loss against Luton last month.
Doucoure has racked up 47 games for the Selhurst Park outfit since joining for a reported fee of £21million including add-ons.
He is just one of several Palace stars to suffer lengthy injury layoffs so far this season.
Michael Olise has recently returned to action after a long-term injury, while Eberechi Eze, Dean Henderson and Rob Holding are among other stars currently on the treatment table.
Liverpool moved to add Japan international Wataru Endo in the summer window but have often played without a recognised defensive midfielder this season following Jordan Henderson and Fabinho’s departures.
In other news, Liverpool stance on signing new defender revealed.