Abdoulaye Doucoure made highest-paid player at Everton as European clubs end interest after new deal
Everton have made Abdoulaye Doucoure their highest-paid player with a new contract until 2025 with the option of an extra year, according to The Mirror.
Writing on their website (3 November) the news outlet report that the Mali international had a clause triggered in his contract to extend his time at the club, which makes him the highest-paid player at Goodison Park.
And according to the report, it has ended the interest of European clubs who were interested in signing him ahead of the January window and next summer.
“Abdoulaye Doucoure has been made the highest-paid player at Everton as a reward for his heroics over the past six months,” they wrote.
“It ends the chase for his services from a string of clubs across Europe. He’d been out of contract in summer, but Everton activated a clause in his deal that saw it extend for another 12 months.”
Risk and reward
Doucoure is now 30-years-old so giving him a huge wage could potentially be an issue considering the fact that we are in big financial trouble off the pitch.
But if anyone deserves a new contract and a pay-rise after performances in the last 12 months it’s absolutely the Mali midfielder, who has become a really influential member of the squad.
He has scored hugely important goals, made a huge difference to the work-rate and morale of the squad since he came into the side and is a leader in the dressing room too.
It’s also just a short-term deal which means as he gets older there is a chance to renegotiate terms quickly or if the worst were to happen and we needed a quick fix he isn’t tied down for too long.
It’s a deal that works for everyone, and seemingly the entire club is happy with the arrangement so hopefully the good feelings can continue for the rest of the season and beyond.
In other Everton news, Spurs stance emerges as Toffees look to renegotiate Dele Alli deal.