Anthony Onifade

Sat 28 October 2023 21:10, UK

Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure is set to be rewarded with a new contract at Goodison Park soon but that won’t halt Sean Dyche’s plans to seek out a potential upgrade in the market.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported on Thursday (26 October) that Doucoure looked set to sign a two-year extension at Goodison Park.

The transfer journalist reported on Thursday 26 October that a new deal is now in the final stages and an agreement is on the verge of being sealed.

Doucoure is set to sign on for another two years at Goodison Park, with an option to take it to 2026 also included on top of that for the former Watford man.

Romano wrote on Twitter: “Abdoulaye Doucouré, set to sign new deal at Everton very soon.

“Understand agreement’s on the verge of being sealed over a new contract until June 2025. Option until June 2026 will be included.

“Deal at final stages, set to be completed.”

However, in an article for BBC Sport on Friday (27 October), journalist Shamoon Hafez reported that Mali midfielder has had multiple offers from European clubs and it is not yet certain the Mali international will stay put, although it does look likely.

The article read: “BBC Sport understands Doucoure has a number of options on the table from clubs around Europe and remaining at Goodison Park is a distinct possibility.

“The former Watford midfielder has a strong relationship with the Blues and it is believed if the club can match his requirements then extending his stay is a serious option.”

The fact that Doucoure is set to become a free agent at the end of the campaign is a worry and makes this a pressing concern for Everton.

His future still isn’t guaranteed yet which means he could well be swayed by interest elsewhere but it seems like Dyche is on it to seal his future at Goodison Park after making the advanced midfield berth his own.

However, doubts still remain over whether Doucoure is the man to take the Toffees to the next level. Is he the creative threat they need to score more goals and drive them up the league?

While the stats suggest he could, recording 1.7 key passes [SofaScore] and ranking in the 86th percentile of midfielders in Europe’s top-five leagues for key passes [FBRef], the former Watford man will be turning 31 on January 1st which means time is running out on him competing at the elite level consistently.

If Everton are to match those lofty ambitions of potential new owners and usher in a new era with their new Bramley-Moore Dock development, they may well need a more stylistic and specialist advanced midfield player.

In fact, Dyche tried to target a specialist number 10 during the summer window.

Evening Standard journalist Dom Smith, taking to his personal Twitter account (6 October) shared that the Toffees along with Brighton and Crystal Palace all made an approach to the Argentinian outfit Racing Club to sign Carlos Alcaraz before Southampton sealed the £12.3m deal [Daily Mail, 11 January].

Alcaraz is a player of superb qualities and potential and he’s already showcased how good he can become at the club, even enjoying some impressive cameos in the Premier League before Southampton’s relegation. He registered four goals and two assists from 18 games last season.

It remains to be seen whether Everton will return with an approach for the Argentinian especially if Southampton fail in their bid to return to the top-flight but it’s clear that Dyche may already have one eye on a specialist replacement for Doucoure.

Brutal decision but a necessary one to seal Everton’s future at the elite level.

In other Everton news, Graeme Souness blasts Everton as “basket case” after recent developments.