23-year-old midfielder has started to believe he could get a move to Liverpool this week

Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure believed that he could seal a transfer to Liverpool on Wednesday this week.

The Reds were claimed to be advancing in a move for the Malian earlier in the week. However, nothing further has since emerged.

Now, journalist Miguel Delaney has reported in his Reading The Game newsletter, that a transfer for Doucoure had looked potentially imminent. And could still happen.

Delaney reports that Jurgen Klopp is ‘insisting’ on a new No.6 for his team. As a result, Liverpool’s recruitment team are said to have ‘gone into overdrive’ over the course of the week.

That has resulted in the signing of Wataru Endo from Stuttgart, which was confirmed this afternoon. For a time on Wednesday, it’s claimed that Doucoure himself thought an immediate move could be possible. That didn’t end up happening, but reportedly still could, but only for the right price.

Doucoure waiting on Reds move

This reads like an encouraging update for Liverpool fans hoping to see Doucoure brought in over the next two weeks. However, it actually may be completely the opposite.

In the end, Klopp did get his new No.6 on Wednesday. Endo is by all accounts a pretty pure defensive midfielder and has taken Fabinho’s old No.3 shirt upon signing.

Is that a sign that Liverpool have put aside all plans to bring in another?

Today, links have persisted to Ryan Gravenberch, but news of a player like Doucoure – or another defensive midfielder – has been sparce.

With Endo wrapped up, there will be a slight concern that that’s Liverpool done.

Of course, that may be totally fine. Endo may well prove to be a top signing capable of being the Reds’ first choice Fabinho replacement.

But until he can prove that, there will remain a fair bit of scepticism from fans. The smart idea would be to go and secure Doucoure alongside the Japan international. By the sounds of it he’s ready and waiting

Tottenham Hotspur may have been given the perfect chance to secure the signing of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze after his teammate Michael Olise rejected Chelsea.

As reported by football.london, Spurs have been keeping a close eye on the talented attacker as part of their squad overhaul under new manager Ange Postecoglou. Despite already spending over £150 million on eight new signings this summer, Tottenham are expected to press on with their transfer plans following Harry Kane’s big-money move to Bayern Munich.

With Kane’s departure leaving a void upfront, Spurs are prioritising targets in attacking areas. The likes of Gift Orban, Jonathan David and Folarin Balogun are among the names linked with the club as well as Eze.

Eze has emerged as one of the most exciting players in the Premier League over the past 18 months. The 21-year-old joined Palace from Reading for just £8.3million in 2021

It appeared that his teammate Olise would become the latest arrival at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea activated his £45million release clause. However, Palace chairman Steve Parish sprung a surprise by announcing that Olise had signed a new contract at Selhurst Park, effectively ending Chelsea’s pursuit of the young French talent.

“It’s the best possible news we could have. I had been concerned – it’s always concerning when a club of Chelsea’s stature take interest in a player, and people will suggest that a move to them might be the best bet,” said Palace manager Roy Hodgson.