By Anthony Onifade

14th Mar, 2023 | 9:10pm

Everton could save millions by tying down Abdoulaye Doucoure to a new deal after recent transfer speculation

Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure could still yet have a future at Goodison Park, despite recent speculation that he could leave when his contract ends in June.

The Athletic reported on 4 January that the Blues were willing to let the midfielder leave during the January window, but no move materialised. However, his time may still be up at Goodison Park with his contract expiring in June.

Turkish media outlet Fotospor reported on 13 March that the Frenchman’s agent has offered his services to Besiktas with no talks planned at Everton regarding a contract extension.

The in-form Everton midfielder could join the Black Eagles, with the parties awaiting Şenol Güneş’s approval.

However, the former Watford man has established himself as a key component in Sean Dyche’s Toffees side after struggling to make an impression under former boss Frank Lampard.

Since the former Burnley boss joined the Toffees at the end of January, the Frenchman has started all of the club’s seven games, proving a key part of Dyche’s renaissance with Everton picking up 10 points in that period, with his marauding box-to-box presence, dynamism and energy from midfield.

And Dyche feels that Doucoure has really stepped up in recent weeks, labelling his performances as “excellent” after their crucial 1-0 win over in-form Brentford on Saturday.

Speaking to Everton TV [13 March], Dyche said: “It was a fine goal. We pressed early. Great calmness from Douc [Doucoure], who was excellent again.

“It was Alex [Iwobi] into Douc and Douc finding Dwight, and then what a finish. You need that sometimes. The pleasing thing over the last number of games is that we’ve been more effective. 

“We’re going into the box with more of an edge to score a goal. We didn’t score again after the first, of course, but we’re creating more.”

Certainly, the Toffees are carrying more of an attacking threat under Dyche than they did under Lampard and that is in no small part down to Doucoure’s rejuvenation from midfield, scoring one and assisting another in their last two Premier League encounters.

With the club currently short on vibrant attacking threats in midfield, Doucoure has provided Dyche with the impetus to drive the Toffees forward as they look to steer clear of the relegation places once again.

Box-to-box midfielders in the mould of Doucoure are hard to come by in the transfer window, and with further reinforcements desperately needed elsewhere, the Blues could well save millions by offering the French midfielder a new deal to signify his importance to the cause at Goodison Park.