Aston Villa could now miss out on signing Lens star Cheick Doucoure with Crystal Palace now thought to be closing in on a deal.
Most of the attention in the Lens midfield is placed on Seko Fofana, who could land a big Premier League move himself.
Yet featuring alongside Fofana is Doucoure, who is attracting major interest in his own right.
Doucoure has notched one goal and four assists in 31 Ligue 1 appearances this season.
The Sun now report that Crystal Palace are closing in on a £15million deal to sign Doucoure this summer.
It’s suggested that Palace looked into signing Ajax star Edson Alvarez but he would have cost a huge £35million fee.
Palace are therefore looking towards Doucoure for £20million less with Patrick Vieira seemingly impressed with Doucoure.
If anybody would know what it takes to be a great midfielder, it’s Palace boss Vieira.
Doucoure, 22, has proven to be a fine box-to-box midfielder for Lens and it looks like his Premier League dream will finally come true.
Former Lens teammate Zakaria Diallo has claimed that Tottenham made a serious approach to sign Doucoure last summer.
However, Lens stood in Doucoure’s way and blocked any move to Spurs, leaving the Malian ace ‘disappointed’.
Doucoure has continued to shine this season and it looks like Vieira – a former Arsenal man – will succeed where Tottenham failed.
This will also serve as a blow for Aston Villa.
The Daily Mail claim that Villa also made a move for Doucoure last summer and were expected to make a new move this summer.
Steven Gerrard is desperate for new midfield options and Doucoure could have been a solution at Villa Park.
Yet with Palace now seemingly advanced with their move for Doucoure, it seems that Villa will have to look elsewhere this summer.
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