Transfers

Lampard wants ‘complete’ £75k-a-week star at Goodison Park next season

By Admin / June 3, 2022

Everton manager Frank Lampard ‘wants’ to keep hold of key midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure this summer, according to Daily Star journalist Paul Brown.

The 29-year-old only has one year remaining on his current contract at Goodison Park and could be sacrificed in order to ease the club’s financial worries.

What is the latest news involving Everton?

Everton announced a loss of over £120 million for 2020/21 despite a reported record turnover of £193.1m for the financial year ending 2021.

And that alarming figure is even more concerning when considering the fact that the Goodison Park outfit also recorded combined losses of over £260m between 2017 and 2020.

The Merseysiders’ money troubles were further exacerbated after Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov was sanctioned by the UK government following his country’s invasion of Ukraine.

Usmanov was due to sign a naming rights deal for the club’s ambitious new Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium via his USM firm, and the Daily Mail claim his situation will leave a £300m ‘black hole’ in their playing budget for next term.

As a result, several of Everton’s top talents such as Jordan Pickford, Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have been linked with moves away as the club’s hierarchy look to balance the books.

What has Brown said about Doucoure?

Brown doesn’t believe Doucoure will be one of the players offloaded unless he tells Everton chiefs ‘bluntly’ that he wants a new challenge as Lampard wishes to retain his services.

He told GiveMeSport: “The thing with him is he doesn’t have much longer left on his contract.

Timber deal close! De Jong deal agreed with Barca?!? Hear the latest Man United news on the Football Terrace…

“So, I think the only way he is sold is if he tells them quite bluntly that he’s not going to sign another deal, or if they decide that well now that he’s heading towards 30, this might be the last chance we could get some money for him.

“But I don’t think Lampard wants him to go. I think Lampard wants him here next season, so I wouldn’t bet on that one happening.”

How big a loss would Doucoure be?

Doucoure, who earns £75,000-per-week, has established himself as a pivotal player for Everton since arriving from Watford in a £20m deal two years ago.

“Abdoulaye is a fantastic midfielder, a complete midfielder,” said former manager Carlo Ancelotti of the engine room operator who has registered five goals and seven assists in 68 appearances for the Blues.

“He can defend well. He is a box-to-box midfielder. He can bring energy to the club and a different quality. We don’t have midfielders with his kinds of characteristics.”

It’s evident that Doucoure would be a huge loss to Lampard should he depart, but Everton’s off-pitch troubles may be the deciding factor in his future.

News Now – Sport News



Source link

About Author

Admin

See author's posts

You may also like