Everton £13m Joan Gonzalez hunt surely means Goodison Park end for Abdoulaye Doucouré
It has been a tough start to the season for Abdoulaye Doucouré with the Everton midfielder suffering from injuries and poor form.
Doucoure has only featured for the full 90 minutes once in the Premier League and has been restricted to the odd substitutes appearance under Frank Lampard. His most recent cameos have come in the defeats to Bournemouth and Leicester City.
The Daily Star’s Paul Brown has recently suggested (GIVEMESPORT, 25 November) that the Toffees could well be willing to let the 29-year-old depart Goodison Park in the upcoming transfer windows. With his contract up in the summer of 2023, he certainly faces an uncertain future.
Everton do hold an option to extend Dourcoure’s contract by another year, but, there’s been no indication as to what their stance on his future at the club is.
However, the latest player to be linked with a move to Merseyside could well have indicated the club’s plans when it comes to Mali international. Gazzetta Dello Sport suggest (13 December) the Toffees are in the hunt for Lecce’s Joan Gonzalez, with the 20-year-old referred to as a “box to box” midfielder.
He’s believed to be available for around £13million, and the Spaniard is contracted to the Serie A club until the summer of 2027. At 20, he would be a long-term signing for Lampard which would mean the Toffees’ midfield options are well-stocked.
If Gonzalez does move to Merseyside, it would feel as if the writing is on the wall for Doucoure, with the club looking to be more astute and savvy in future transfer markets.