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Everton set to win race for Doucoure replacement once dubbed the new N’Golo Kante
Despite emerging as one of Everton’s standout performers since David Moyes returned to the helm in January, Abdoulaye Doucouré appears set to leave Goodison Park this summer.
The 32-year-old former Mali international has been instrumental in the club’s unexpected resurgence under Moyes, helping secure Premier League safety with just four defeats in the Scot’s first ten matches—albeit against Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea.
During that run, Doucouré has netted three times, including a crucial equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United and the winner in a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Champions League contenders Nottingham Forest.
However, with his contract expiring at the end of the season and no new deal on the table, the midfielder is widely expected to depart Merseyside.
Doucouré has made his intentions clear—celebrating his goal against Forest by mimicking a contract signing gesture and telling the press he hopes to stay. Still, all signs suggest his five-year stint at Everton may be drawing to a bittersweet close.
Everton eye Ndidi
Wilfred Ndidi. (Getty)
Should Doucouré depart, Everton seem to have a replacement in mind: Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi.
Following Leicester’s relegation, the Nigerian midfielder is reportedly available for £9 million due to a clause in his contract. According to TBR Football, Everton are one of several Premier League clubs—alongside Crystal Palace, Brentford, and Fulham—monitoring the situation.
Ndidi, once likened to N’Golo Kanté, has not quite lived up to that billing, but remains a proven Premier League performer.
Speaking to Goodison News, former Everton scout Bryan King said the Toffees are in pole position.
“I think they would win the race for Ndidi,” King said. “Everton would be able to guarantee him first-team football, and if they can get a player of that quality and experience for that kind of money, it would be a great addition.”
“This is a player who I think Moyes would like, and Premier League experience is important,” he added.
Though now 30 and past the height of his reputation, Ndidi would still represent a solid signing for Everton. Whether he would be an upgrade on Doucouré, however, is up for debate.
