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Abdoulaye Doucoure the man to target as Marco Silva refuses to rule out Watford signings
New Everton boss Marco Silva has refused to rule out trying to sign players from his former club Watford this summer. In his first press conference as Everton manager earlier this week he had this to say when asked about potentially raiding Vicarage Road,
“It will start in the next few days: names and names and names. But the first thing we will do is analyse what we have at the club. We will be assertive and find the right targets for us.”
Of course, this would just be another bitter blow for the Hornets if Silva was to come throwing cash around at the club. Watford are still irritated at the manner in which the Portuguese got the job at Goodison Park after he was initially approached back in November.
So Watford will not want Everton to some sniffing.
But if they do, who should they target?
One name that has done the rounds is Richarlison, who started the season brilliantly under Silva. But his form tailed off toward the end of the season. No, if Everton are to target any Watford player this summer then it should be midfield dynamo Abdoulaye Doucoure.
The French midfielder joined Watford in February 2016 but had to wait for his chance at Vicarage Road. After spending most of 2016-17 on the bench, it was Silva who first decided the Frenchman deserved more regular first-team football.
With that in mind, he threw Doucoure into the starting XI and the results have been clear to see, Doucoure was brilliant for Watford throughout the season. He played 39 games, scored seven goals and added four assists in a tremendous campaign.
Everton would be the perfect move for the midfield dynamo. They need extra reinforcements in the heart of the midfield. With James McCarthy injured and Morgan Schneiderlin out of form, it could be that the former Rennes midfielder is the perfect buy for Everton.
They would need to be quick. Plenty of other Premier League teams have also been credited with an interest in the player.
Back in Apri that Watford had put a £40 million price-tag on his head, amid interest from the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Everton may have to pay even more than that, just to soften the mood after the Silva controversy.
But if he is going back for any Watford players, then Doucoure should be top of the list.