Palace, Lens Set To Seal Doucoure Deal

Crystal Palace are close to sealing the signing of Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure this summer.

According to French outlet RMC, a fee of £18m plus £4.3m in bonuses has been agreed between the two clubs, while The Athletic claim Palace are increasingly confident about securing a deal for the player.

Palace were rebuffed on their £14.5m opening bid last week but have upped their offer to meet Lens’ valuation and are now closing in on their target.

Doucoure’s Lens contract runs until 2024 and despite enjoying a solid season last term, the £22.3m offer is too good for the Ligue 1 side to turn down.

READ ALSO: Black Star’s Daniel-Kofi Kyereh Joins SC Freiburg

The 22-year-old defensive midfielder made 34 appearances last season, chipping in with one goal and four assists as he formed an excellent midfield partnership with the in-demand Seko Fofana.

Doucoure was a key player in helping Lens to a seventh-placed finish in the club’s second season back in the top flight, when they narrowly missed out on European qualification.

The Malian international has eight caps for his country and has spent his entire career at Lens, clocking up a total of 131 games.

According to multiple reports, RC Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure is edging close to signing for Premier League outfit Crystal Palace.

On Friday, the Eagles saw their bid of £14.5m turned down by the French Ligue 1 side but the 22-year-old, whose contract is valid until 2024, could finally move as negotiations are in the final stages.