Liverpool are ready to make a move for Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure next summer. According to recent reports in the English media, the Hornets midfielder has confirmed that a whole host of Premier League clubs, which includes the Reds along with Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, are interested in signing him this summer. However, if given the choice, the 25-year-old has stated that he would jump at the opportunity of making a switch to the Emirates Stadium. The French midfielder has been one of the Hornets’ standout performers this season and has put in some impressive performances during the course of this Premier League campaign. He is currently leading the club’s goalscoring charts with seven goals to his name this term.
The French midfielder has been speculated to make a switch away from Vicarage Road after the end of the current season, but Watford are reportedly eager to tie him down on a new and improved long-term contract. In a recent interview, Doucoure revealed that he is still committed to the Hornets cause but would snub both Spurs and Liverpool in favour of a move to North London to play under the stewardship of Arsene Wenger. He was quoted to have said,
“It’s true that these clubs are interested,”
“But I’m at Watford for the moment and I want to finish my season well.”
When asked about which club is his preference, the 25-year-old said, “Arsenal, because of Arsene Wenger,”
Liverpool are currently third from top in the Premier League table after securing a comfortable 2-0 victory at Anfield to Newcastle United on Saturday. The Merseyside giants find themselves just above 4th placed Tottenham Hotspur, with two points between them.
However, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are 18 points behind the Premier League champions-elect Manchester City which indicates that they need to bring in some new recruits in the summer to try and bridge the gap between themselves and the ‘Big Six’ in the new few years. The addition of Doucoure will undoubtedly bolster Jurgen Klopp’s midfield options as they look to mount a realistic title challenge next season. The Reds already have the likes of Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Georginio Wijnaldum and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain vying for a place in Jurgen Klopp’s starting eleven so the potential arrival of Doucoure will definitely add more competition for places at Anfield.
The Frenchman has featured in 30 matches for the Hornets this season, scoring 7 goals while providing 3 assists in all competitions. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Doucoure and whether he ends up making a move to Merseyside in the near future.
