Liverpool hold talks to sign 'very influential' Premier League midfielder

Liverpool have now held talks in their attempts to secure the signing of Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure.

Cheick Doucoure remains a key Liverpool target even after the signing of Stuttgart midfielder Wataru Endo late last week.

That is according to the Daily Mail, who claim that talks have taken place for Liverpool’s pursuit of Doucoure.

The Reds finally added a holding midfielder on Friday as Wataru Endo completed a shock move from Stuttgart.

Liverpool had been targeting Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia but were rocked when both midfielders chose to join Chelsea instead.

Endo has come in as an experienced option in holding midfield but we’re expecting to see Liverpool go for another signing there.

Somebody younger and with Premier League experience would be ideal, so Liverpool are now targeting Crystal Palace ace Doucoure.

Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is also the subject of Liverpool talks with the Reds still making moves in the engine room.

Cheick Doucoure may be a better fit than Ryan Gravenberch for Liverpool

Gravenberch is certainly and exciting talent but maybe Doucoure is the better option here.

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The Malian is a more natural sitting midfielder than Gravenberch, whose best role right now is as more of a box-to-box player.

Doucoure – hailed as ‘very influential’ by Roy Hodgson – also has a season of Premier League football under his belt and he played very well for Palace last season.

The 23-year-old seems to be age profile Liverpool are looking for and the Reds will be hoping that their talks will lead to a deal.

The problem here will be Palace’s asking price.

The Eagles will be in a strong position to demand twice, maybe three times the price they paid just a year ago.

That would take a huge chunk from the Liverpool budget and the Reds will now have to weigh up whether Doucoure is worth the big asking price.