Sources: Liverpool £70m target Doucoure could be out for the rest of the season

Sources: Liverpool £70m target Doucoure could be out for the rest of the season

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Transfer Correspondent AUTHORITY Former Sky Sports and ESPN FC correspondent who specialises in global recruitment, contract negotiations, and high-velocity transfer breaking news. FOCUS Exclusive reporting, domestic and international transfer markets, and elite-level insights. THE INSIGHT Pete utilises a Global Network of Industry Sources to deliver verified, first-to-market reporting. His “Deep-Lens” analysis connects the dots between boardroom strategy and pitch-level recruitment, providing a level of transfer clarity that goes beyond surface-level rumours.

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Crystal Palace midfielder and Liverpool target Cheick Doucoure could be out for the rest of the 2023-24 campaign after suffering an Achilles tendon injury, sources have told Football Insider.

The 23-year-old has been so important to Roy Hodgson's side since his arrival from Lens in July 2022.

His performances in the 2022-23 campaign, his first in England, caught the attention of Liverpool and he was a top target for Jurgen Klopp's side in the summer window.

It is believed Doucoure remains on the Merseysiders' radar - but a deal is now impossible in January following his injury blow.

The 12-cap Mali international will also miss his nation's African Cup of Nations campaign in the new year.

He had made 12 appearances across all competitions for Palace so far in the 2023-24 campaign but was forced off in the 2-1 loss against Luton last month.

Doucoure has racked up 47 games for the Selhurst Park outfit since joining for a reported fee of £21million including add-ons.

He is just one of several Palace stars to suffer lengthy injury layoffs so far this season.

Liverpool

Michael Olise has recently returned to action after a long-term injury, while Eberechi Eze, Dean Henderson and Rob Holding are among other stars currently on the treatment table.

Liverpool moved to add Japan international Wataru Endo in the summer window but have often played without a recognised defensive midfielder this season following Jordan Henderson and Fabinho's departures.

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