A former Everton star has revealed just how close he came to joining Leeds United in the summer transfer window before deciding to leave the Premier League.
Leeds moved to bring in one former Everton star this summer, snapping up striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer following his departure from the Toffees.
However, another former Everton man has now explained how close he came to making a move to a Premier League rival before he accepted an offer from the Saudi Pro League.
Abdoulaye Doucoure played 149 games in all competitions for Everton and was linked with a move to Elland Road during the summer transfer window.
Now, the Mali international has explained why he rejected the chance to link up with Daniel Farke and leave Europe altogether.
Abdoulaye Doucoure salutes the crowd after Everton FC v Southampton FC - Premier League
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Abdoulaye Doucoure opens up on Leeds United interest
Speaking in an interview with The Athletic, Doucoure admitted that he had been subject to interest from Leeds during the transfer window.
However, according to Everton’s former highest earner, he had no interest in playing for another club in England, especially given the size of the offer he received from Neom in the Saudi Pro League.
Doucoure said: “I had the proposition on the table from Everton, but the offer from Saudi Arabia was much higher. I had a lot of interest from the Premier League.
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“I had a huge proposal from Sunderland as I knew the manager (Regis Le Bris), my former academy coach in France, very well. I had some interest from Leeds and Burnley.
“But if I was staying in England, Everton was my priority. So I didn’t really give an answer to those teams.”
Abdoulaye Doucoure in the wall during Everton FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier League
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Leeds were right to avoid an expensive deal for veteran
Leeds recruited well in midfield ahead of the new season, adding the all-action Sean Longstaff from Newcastle and the new fan favourite Anton Stach from Hoffenheim.
Both have already proven their worth to Farke’s side, chipping in with a goal each and forming part of an impressive midfield trio alongside Ethan Ampadu.
At 32 years of age, Doucoure’s best years are behind him, and he would have broken Leeds’ wage structure, having admitted that he received a significant offer from Saudi Arabia.
Whether Leeds were serious about a deal for the veteran midfielder remains to be seen. However, Longstaff and Stach’s impressive start shows that Leeds were right to avoid paying over the odds.