Crystal Palace are reportedly close to their first major signing for the summer transfer window, with the Eagles agreeing a transfer fee for RC Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure.
According to RMC Sport, Patrick Vieira’s side are close to finalising a deal for the 22-year-old which will see Doucoure sign for Palace in a €26m (£22m) deal, making it the south London side’s first major transfer of the summer following the arrival of Derby County youngster Malcolm Ebiowei.
Doucoure has been one of Ligue 1’s breakout stars over the past 12 months with the midfielder forming an incredible partnership with Seko Fofana, another Lens player who is attracting plenty of interest from the Premier League as well as across the continent.
Palace have been chasing Doucoure for the majority of the summer, and after a first rejected bid earlier in the window, the Eagles have now seemingly landed their man, with the midfielder likely to replace Conor Gallagher in starting XI for next season.
The on-loan Chelsea man was a revelation for Palace last season with the England international being nominated for PFA Young Player of the Year and putting himself in a good position to travel to Qatar this winter for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with the Blues only willing to sell Gallagher for a massive fee.
Indeed, Gallagher will be a big miss next season for Palace, but Vieira has done well to replace the midfielder in Doucoure, who now looks set to officially sign for the Eagles later this week in a £22m deal.
Crystal Palace have done well to sign Doucoure before pre-season
With pre-season just around the corner for Palace, Vieira and his team have done well to secure a major signing just before the majority of the squad return to training, with Doucoure set to play a major role for the Eagles in the upcoming season.
At just 22, the midfielder has already turned plenty of heads in France, and for Palace, Doucoure has the potential to become a superstar for the Selhurst Park side, with Vieira keen to continue his good work from last season which left many supporters stunned.
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