Abdoulaye Doucoure makes huge Everton exit admission - 'My last moments'

Abdoulaye Doucoure has had his critics down the years, but has ultimately been a key servant for Everton when they have needed him most.

It is thanks in part to the experienced Malian midfielder that the Toffees did not fall through the unprecedented trapdoor to the Championship two years ago, and he has been a committed presence since.

Doucoure is one of several players out of contract at the end of this season in David Moyes' squad, but is continuing to make an eager impact after netting the last-gasp winner at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Doucoure makes huge contract admission at Everton

Everton have had to endure flops, mercenaries and risk-averse players in recent seasons who have just not aligned with the values of the Toffees and their supporters.

Doucoure couldn't be more different. While the 32-year-old's contract situation is dormant right now - and Everton may not fancy committing to further years of his wages as their new era gets set to begin - the place would feel strange without him.

His match-winner at the City Ground delivered the latest after the contest, having just moments earlier sent the travelling fans into ecstasy with his 94th-minute strike.

Doucoure claimed he has always wanted to remain on Merseyside, but confessed these could be his final few weeks before moving elsewhere as a free agent.

He told BBC Match of the Day post-match (12 April): "I can't talk too much about that, but it is maybe my last moments at the club, and at the moment it is very quiet on the club side.

"I love this club. Since the moment I signed, always I want to stay. My contract is running out so let's see what happens in the next couple of weeks but I love this club."

Everton may reconsider Doucoure stance

At present, it looks like Everton are either working away at contract negotiations strictly behind-closed-doors, or they are not treating it as much of a priority.

Doucoure, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Idrissa Gueye are all among the clutch of players whose deals expire this summer, yet not a lot has emerged in recent weeks and months.

The stumbling block with Doucoure is likely to be his wages. Everton understandably want to head into the market for top-calibre players in time, if their long-term strategy pans out.

To commit for another two or three years to six-figure weekly sums for players who may age quicker than expected is certainly a risk.

However, Doucoure is consistently demonstrating his importance to the side and Everton did - albeit under a different regime - extend the deals of Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman, both considerably older, last summer.

A possible wage slash and more incentivised contract could be arranged, which would be the overriding test as to how much Doucoure wants to remain for the start of the Bramley-Moore Dock chapter.