Everton: Italian giants want £25 million Everton man whose deal runs out in summer 2023

Everton and Frank Lampard reinforced the midfield in the summer bringing in Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye. While the new signings have done a decent job, the new arrivals did have a negative impact on the playing time of another player, Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Doucoure was signed in the summer of 2020 when Carlo Ancelotti tried his hand at injecting life in the midfield department. Doucoure was an integral part of Ancelotti’s system as well as Rafa Benitez’s plans. When Benitez was sacked and Lampard came in, Doucoure remained the quintessential presence in Lampard’s midfield as Everton escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth.

Doucoure played 30 Premier League games last term and 29 in the prior season but so far the Mali international has only played eight games and started just two Premier League games. Doucoure has always been the workhorse supplying energy and tenacity to the midfield.

With Onana now offering something similar and increased presence upfront, Lampard has sided with the Belgian instead of deploying Doucoure. Everton are in a precarious position, hovering just above the relegation zone. Lampard wants to bring new faces but also faces the risk of losing some of the known faces in the squad.

Juventus eye Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure

Doucoure had signed a three year deal and the Toffees had an option to extend Doucoure’s contract by one more year. The 29 year old will enter the final six months of his current deal on January 1 and so far there have been no indications of Everton triggering the one year extension.

Doucoure could be free to negotiate with foreign clubs from January 1 and there is already a club who has been eyeing the former Watford midfielder. According to Calciomercato, Juventus want to sign Doucoure on a free transfer, once his deal runs out with Everton in the summer.

Juve are plotting a new look midfield and have two players in mind, Alexis Mac Allister and Doucoure. Doucoure ticks all the boxes that Max Allegri wants in his midfielder: robust, good technique and physical.

If Everton do not extend Doucoure’s deal, Juve are ready to pounce. The Old Lady are also waiting on the decision of Adrien Rabiot, whose deal also runs out in the summer of 2023. Should the Frenchman confirm his desire to not extend and leave the club, Doucoure’s file will be fast tracked and his situation will be followed even more closely.