Everton are reportedly set to let Abdoulaye Doucoure leave the club at the end of the season, with Carlos Alcaraz his long-term replacement.
According to a report by TEAMtalk, experienced box-to-box midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure will leave Everton in the summer, and the Merseyside outfit are happy with Carlos Alcaraz as his long-term replacement.
Doucoure has been a very useful player for Everton since joining them from Watford, but the 32-year-old is nearing the end of his peak and he earns £130,000 per week at Everton. He is the club’s highest earner and Everton are now looking to get rid of him and lower the wage bill. They are looking to build for the future and it is no surprise that they have identified an alternative.
Alcaraz joined Everton on loan from Flamengo during the winter transfer window, and they have an obligation to sign the player permanently if he starts eight matches for them. The 22-year-old has started three matches for the Premier League club so far this season.
Everton would have to pay a fee of around €20 million to make the move permanent. It remains to be seen whether the player is handed regular opportunities in the coming weeks and if the move is made permanent in the summer.
Meanwhile, Doucoure has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, and multiple clubs are keen on securing his signature. The 32-year-old could be open to trying out a new challenge at this stage of his career, and a move to Saudi Arabia would be ideal for him.
The Malian international would get to earn a substantial amount of money in the Saudi Pro League, and the lower intensity of football in Saudi Arabia could prolong his career as well.
Everton need fresh young talents
Everton have shown great improvement since the change of manager, and they will be looking to build a squad capable of finishing in the top half next season. They need to get rid of some of their older players and bring in fresh young talent.
Alcaraz would be a quality long-term addition for them. He has already impressed at Everton and he will only get better with coaching and experience. There is no doubt that he could be the ideal replacement for Doucoure in the long term.
The 22-year-old Argentine midfielder will certainly be excited about the possibility of playing for Everton in the long run, and he will hope that the Premier League club can sort out the permanent move at the end of the season.