Arsenal will reportedly wage a transfer battle with Crystal Palace and Everton in the race to sign Cheick Doucoure from RC Lens this summer.

According to a report by Daily Mirror, Cheick Doucoure is the subject of interest from Arsenal over a possible move in the summer transfer window. Crystal Palace and Everton are also keeping tabs on the RC Lens midfielder, with Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers among the other contenders.

Cheick Doucoure spent most of his formative years in his homeland Mali before arriving in Europe in 2018. The 22-year-old finished his footballing education at RC Lens soon after joining Les Sang et Or and has since come leaps and bounds in France, establishing himself as one of the most promising young midfielders in Ligue 1.

The Malian international has turned out 131 times for Lens thus far, chipping in with eight goals and seven assists. Doucoure’s exploits have not gone unnoticed either, with some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League showing an interest in him, including Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Everton.

Arsenal will delve into the market for a midfielder in the summer transfer window, as Mikel Arteta does not have much cover for Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka. While Mohamed Elneny stepped up well in the last month of the season, he is a backup option at best. And with Albert Sambi Lokonga not ready to become a regular, Arsenal can do with a new midfielder, making Doucoure a viable target.

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But Doucoure is closer to joining Crystal Palace, as per recent reports. The Eagles will need to invest in a holding midfielder in the summer transfer window, with Cheikhou Kouyate and Luka Milivojevic in their thirties, meaning Patrick Vieira can do with an injection of youth. And Crystal Palace and Doucoure have been in contact for a long time, with the youngster an ideal option for Vieira.

As for Everton, the Toffees will likely embark on a squad overhaul after narrowly avoiding relegation from the Premier League. The Merseyside outfit will need to invest in a midfielder, with Allan facing an uncertain future at Goodison Park. And Doucoure is an option worth considering for Everton.

Also Read: Arsenal 2021/22 Review: A season of hope and missed opportunity

In addition to Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Everton, Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers are also keeping tabs on Doucoure’s progress. A summer move to the Premier League thus looks likely, and the Gunners might fancy their chances as European football will be on offer, although other clubs will be able to give him regular game-time.

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