Nottingham Forest will reportedly battle Fulham for Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure in January.
The 29-year-old signed for the Toffees for £25m in 2020, after several impressive seasons with Watford. The Mali international was instrumental for Frank Lampard’s side last term as the Premier League ever-presents staved off the threat of relegation, contributing with four assists and two goals across 30 appearances, but has since lost his place in the team.
Everton bolstered their midfield options with the return of Idrissa Gana Gueye and arrival of Amadou Onana, leading to suggestions that Doucoure could leave in January. Forest are said to be battling Fulham for the midfielder’s signature, while two other players have also been touted with a move to the City Ground.
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The Daily Mail has claimed that Forest are set to join Marco Silva’s side “in the chase” for Doucoure, whose contract is set to expire in the summer, though Everton can opt to extend his deal to 2024. The midfielder previously worked under Silva at Watford, but Forest also have a connection from his time at Vicarage Road.
The club’s new sporting director Filippo Giraldi helped bring Doucoure to England in 2016, when he was working as Watford’s technical director. The report from the Daily Mail suggests that Steve Cooper is looking to strengthen in midfield but the Forest boss has admitted that the club will only bring in fresh recruits for the “right reasons” , with outgoings needed after reaching the 25-man squad limit.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has stated that the Reds will attempt to sign “at least” two players next month and the Daily Mail has claimed that the club have already “asked about” Union Berlin winger Sheraldo Becker and Bournemouth midfielder Jefferson Lerma. Becker, 27, has managed seven goals and four assists in 15 league games for the German high-flyers so far this season, while Lerma, 28, has played every minute for the Cherries in their return to the top-flight.
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