Leeds United have been targeting a deal for departing Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, who’s leaving as a free agent this summer.
Leeds United have been linked with a number of experienced Premier League players ahead of the summer transfer window, which officially opens for business on June 1st.
There’s the likes of Jamie Vardy being linked with a move to Leeds United as he gears up to leave Leicester City. Whilst names like Kyle Walker-Peters and Tomas Soucek among others have been linked with a move to Elland Road.
Midfield seems like one area that Daniel Farke will really need to bolster this summer. Options were already thin on the ground in midfield, but now Joe Rothwell has returned to parent club Bournemouth and there are no sign of him returning as of yet.
Meanwhile, Abdoulaye Doucoure is a rumoured target. It’s been claimed that Leeds United want to sign Doucoure on a free transfer this summer.
Photo by Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
David Moyes reveals why Abdoulaye Doucoure is leaving Everton amid Leeds United links
Speaking recently, Everton manager David Moyes said there was no update on Doucoure’s future at the club. The day after, Doucoure announced he’s leaving Everton this summer. The twice-capped Mali international has been with Everton since 2020 making 165 total appearances for the Toffees, scoring 21 goals along the way.
And Moyes has now revealed that Doucoure is leaving Everton because he’s received a better offer from elsewhere. There’s no firm sign as to where he’s received that offer from, but it suggests that Doucoure is receiving a pay rise on what Everton were offering him to stay at the club.
Moyes said: “He’s been a great servant. We wanted him to stay and made him an offer but he’s had a better one from elsewhere.”
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David Moyes confirms Abdoulaye Doucoure will leave Everton due to “a better offer”. 👀
🗣️ “He’s been a great servant. We wanted him to stay and made him an offer but he's had a better one from elsewhere.” pic.twitter.com/EQgYlPJTYh
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) May 23, 2025
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Abdoulaye Doucoure’s next destination is obvious after wage demands emerge
Whilst it’s unclear where Doucoure is going next, many might expect it to be Saudi Arabia. The 32-year-old has been tipped to move to the Saudi league and recent reports revealed that Doucoure wants £160,000-a-week from his next club.
That’s simply out of Leeds United’s pay range, especially so for a 32-year-old player who, whilst a useful Premier League player, isn’t worth that much for a Leeds United side who have so many positions to bolster this summer.
When the Premier League season is over, we might then hear exactly where Doucoure is heading. But the signs seem to be pointing towards Saudi Arabia now.