Report: Proven PL star wants to join Everton; Toffees have made £18m offer

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Everton have had an opening offer of over £18 million rejected by Watford for Abdoulaye Doucoure, according to FootMercato.

While it is no secret that the Toffees have identified Marco Silva’s former midfield general as one of their top summer targets, how much the Merseyside giants had offered for Doucoure’s signature remained a mystery – until now that is.

Thanks to reports from France, we know now that Everton’s opening bid was in the region of £18 million, plus bonuses.

But just because Watford’s five-year stay in the Premier League came to an end in July, do not make the mistake in assuming they will let the former Rennes and Granada man leave Vicarage Road on the cheap.

Owner Gino Pozzo and chairman Scott Duxburry have made it clear that Doucoure will not be going anywhere for less than £25 million.

While Everton have been hit hard by an ongoing financial crisis, £25 million for Doucoure still feels like good value.

A rangy, box-to-box midfielder with an eye for goal, the Paris-born powerhouse is exactly the kind of commanding presence Carlo Ancelotti’s midfield is crying out for – especially when you consider the series of anonymous performances produced by Gylfi Sigurdsson, Andre Gomes and Tom Davies since the re-start.

Doucoure is also younger and cheaper than Everton’s other midfield target, Napoli’s Brazilian ball-winner Allan.

The report adds that Doucoure has chosen The Toffees as his next club, despite interest from Wolves and Fulham (Standard).