Everton agree £20million fee for Abdoulaye Doucoure – journalist
Everton finally appear to have made a breakthrough with Watford for midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure on Wednesday.
The Times journalist Paul Joyce reported on his personal Twitter account that the Toffees have agreed a £20million for the Frenchman.
It should finally bring to an end the years of speculation, with the Toffees interested in Doucoure significantly since the start of the 18/19 season.
That long-term interest has actually helped Everton catch their man.
Doucoure recognised that Carlo Ancelotti and his team had kept their long-standing interest, and wanted to move to a team where he felt wanted.
The Athletic have previously reported that Doucoure had already agreed to a four-year deal at Goodison Park, with the fee the only thing left to sort out.
Now that is sorted, it should take a matter of days before the 27-year-old is announced as completing his move in Merseyside.
Doucoure will be one of three midfielders set to come through the Goodison Park doors this month.
Napoli’s Allan and Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez are also closing in on moves after agreeing a fee with those two clubs – Everton are going full out.
Ancelotti is going into his first full Premier League season in charge of the Toffees, and it looks like he means business – bringing in a new three-man midfield ahead of the opener.
In other Everton news, Mason Holgate sets the Toffees goals for the 20/21 season