Tottenham missed out on signing Cheick Doucoure last summer, and the incredibly talented midfielder could now end up at Arsenal in the coming weeks.
The Gunners are in the market looking for a new central midfielder. Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey are the first-choice at the moment, while Mohamed Eleneny recently signed a new contract.
Albert Sambi Lokonga is also available and he’s a fine talent as well, but Mikel Arteta just wants to sign another man in the middle of the park.
The likes of Youri Tielemans, Ruben Neves and Arthur Melo have all been linked with a move to the Emirates in recent weeks, but the new name out of the rumour mill is Lens’ 22-year-old midfielder Doucoure.
Arsenal want to sign Cheick Doucoure from Lens
Reports revealed this week that Arsenal have now set their sights on Doucoure, who has had a fantastic season for Lens alongside Seko Fofana in the middle of the park.
A part of Lens’ side since 2018, Doucoure has slowly but surely become a star for the club in Ligue 1. He played 37 times in all competitions in the recently-concluded campaign, and although Fofana earned the most plaudits, the 22-year-old was just as good.
Doucoure will enter the final two years of his contract soon. This would be the best time for Lens to cash in on him, and it looks like Arsenal are looking to take advantage of the situation.
The report claims that Brighton, Crystal Palace and Everton are all battling the Gunners to sign the talented Mali international.
Doucoure was disappointed after his move to Tottenham collapsed
Just last summer, Arsenal’s North London rivals Tottenham apparently made a move to sign Doucoure, and the midfielder was open to joining them. However, Lens refused to let him go and the deal collapsed, leaving the 22-year-old disappointed.
Zakaria Diallo, Doucoure’s teammate at the time at Lens, told Le Quotidien du Sport in February: “This summer
(2021), Tottenham seriously approached the club and his agent. Finally, Lens closed the door. They don’t need the money and know they will sell it for even more in the future.
“Douc was disappointed but he’s not at all the type to go to the clash to leave. He remained wisely in his place and knows that it is only a postponement.”
Just a year later now, Doucoure could end up at Arsenal. If that happens and the Mali international succeeds at the Emirates, Tottenham will surely kick themselves.