Cheick Doucoure is training alone at RC Lens as the £18 million midfielder awaits the completion of his long-awaited move to Premier League outfit Crystal Palace, as reported by La Voix du Nord.
They do say that good things come to those who wait. Doucoure will be hoping there is an element of truth to that old adage as one of this summer’s most long-running transfer sagas continues to rumble on.
Crystal Palace have agreed an initial £18 million fee for the Mali international. Hands have also been shaken on personal terms too. But it seems that a work permit – or a lack thereof – is holding up the deal with post-Brexit legislation making it more difficult than ever before to sign players from mainland Europe.
According to La Voix du Nord, Doucoure is currently training away from the rest of the Lens squad. What’s more, he was also absent from the club’s first game of pre-season – Friday’s 0-0 draw with Paris FC.
Cheick Doucoure waiting for Crystal Palace green light
“For me, he is one of the best number sixes in Ligue 1,” says Marseille legend Eric Roy of the ‘incredibly complete’ Doucoure.
High praise indeed. Especially when you consider that French football was not exactly lacking in top-quality deep-lying midfielders last season, from Marco Verratti to Leonardo Paredes, Amadou Onana to Aurelien Tchouameni.
“(Doucoure) has everything to evolve in this position; An extraordinary football IQ, a fantastic first touch, technical ability and he recovers a lot of balls. And beyond that, he’s a boy with a great mentality, who constantly wants to progress. With him, you can’t go wrong.”
Once Doucoure arrives at Selhurst Park, Palace will turn their attention to a more cultured, technically-gifted midfielder to join him in a new-look engine room under Patrick Vieira.
According to Wales Online, Crystal Palace are closing in on a deal for Swansea City’s Flynn Downes. The former England U20 ace has been on the club’s radar for over two years.
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