Liverpool 'learn asking price' to sign Crystal Palace star Cheick Doucoure as transfer eyed

Liverpool have been informed of the asking price to sign Crystal Palace star Cheick Doucoure, according to a new report.

Doucoure emerged as a potential target for the Reds earlier this week, as Jordan Henderson's move to Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq edged closer.

And with Liverpool also in talks with Al Ittihad over a potential £40 million sale of Fabinho, Jurgen Klopp's side will need to return to the transfer market for reinforcements if those moves go through.

The Reds haven't been short of links, with Romeo Lavia, Federico Valverde and Marco Verratti just three names that the club are rumoured to be interested in signing.

But The Athletic reported on Wednesday that Palace midfielder Doucoure had emerged as another option.

The Mali international, who moved to Selhurst Park from Lens last summer, impressed in his first season of Premier League football.

The report claimed that Palace may look to Southampton's £50 million valuation of Lavia as a guide for their own asking price - but it appears they are demanding a significantly higher sum.

Liverpool 'learn Doucoure asking price'

According to the Daily Mail, Palace value Doucoure at between £70 and £80 million - a higher sum than the Reds paid to sign Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig earlier in the window.

It is added that the 23-year-old is seen as 'central' to Palace's plans to push into the top 10 of the Premier League under Roy Hodgson this season.

The Eagles are yet to spend a transfer fee this summer, while star player Wilfried Zaha is currently a free agent after his contract expired on June 30.

Any sale of Doucoure would represent a significant blow for Palace, despite the free transfer signing of defensive midfielder Jefferson Lerma from Bournemouth at the beginning of the window.

And at such a high valuation, Liverpool may well have to turn their attentions elsewhere - unless they are prepared to at least spend the sum of money received if Fabinho and Henderson depart.