Crystal Palace will demand £70m for Cheick Doucoure as Liverpool show interest

Crystal Palace will place a minimum £70million valuation on key midfielder Cheick Doucoure, who is emerging as a target for Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp has made strengthening his midfield options a priority this summer, with the Merseyside club already adding Alexis MacAllister and Dominic Szoboszlai to their squad.

But the imminent departure of captain Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabian club Al Ettifaq and the potential exit of Fabinho – also to Saudi – will leave the Reds looking for further midfield reinforcements.

Doucoure, who arrived at Selhurst Park from Lens for £18million last summer, is of concrete interest to Liverpool, who have begun work on calculating the cost of signing the Mali international.

Liverpool are yet to make an approach to Palace, but the south London club are now bracing themselves for an enquiry.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is keen to continue his midfield rebuild at the club

The 23-year-old is aware of Liverpool’s interest, but Palace want to keep Doucoure next season.

However, Mail Sport understands that Palace officials are likely to find it difficult to refuse an offer of between £70m-£80m.

Doucoure has become a key player for the Eagles in his 12 months at the club, and there is a feeling with the right additions the club could push for a minimum top 10 finish next season.

Palace are placing a £70m valuation on the midfielder who only joined last summer

The midfielder is currently central to those plans, but the prospect of making a huge profit on Doucoure after just a season could eventually tempt the Eagles.

Palace have seen Arsenal sign West Ham captain and defensive midfielder Declan Rice for £105m.

Likewise, Brighton value fellow midfielder Moises Caicedo, a target for Chelsea, at £100m.

And there is a belief at Palace that Doucoure is worth at least £70million in the current market.