Everton fans learned Abdoulaye Doucoure is leaving the club this summer – and today there has been a fresh update regarding his potential next move.
After much speculation, Abdoulaye Doucoure confirmed on Tuesday that he would be leaving Everton after five years at the club.
Doucoure was emotional when he was substituted against Southampton at the weekend, leading to more talk about his immediate future.
Seemingly, he already knew then that he would be leaving.
Doucoure apparently did have a contract offer on the table from Everton, but has opted to pursue a new challenge.
And one potential avenue he could now go down is Saudi Arabia.
Abdoulaye Doucoure now open to Saudi move if wage demands are met
Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images
It was claimed recently that Saudi outfit Al-Shabab had made a contract proposal to Doucoure.
But it was apparently only worth around £58,000 per week, which is way below what he’s been earning at Everton.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
But according to a report from TEAMtalk, Doucoure is not discounting a move to Saudi, following his decision to leave Everton.
He would go there, but is demanding wages of £160,000 per week, which equates to £8 million per year.
It is also stated that Doucoure has options in Turkey and Germany, although no clubs are offered for the moment.
Doucoure exit can open the door for Harrison Armstrong at Everton
It is probably just about the right decision for Doucoure to leave Everton.
Everton clearly did show a willingness to keep him, but an agreement could not be reached and the two parties now go their separate ways.
Everton will sign new midfielders this summer, but Doucoure’s exit does also potentially open the door for young Harrison Armstrong at the Hill Dickinson stadium.
Armstrong shone in the second half of the 2024/25 season with Championship side Derby County and is hopeful of being more involved with the first team next term.
Fans would love to see an academy graduate playing regularly at the new stadium next season, so hopefully David Moyes will put his faith in the starlet.