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Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images
Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images

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Everton would surely have to pay £45 million or more for Abdoulaye Doucoure

Mathew Nash
Mathew Nash

Everton have been linked with another raid on Marco Silva’s former team Watford in January. The Toffees are, , hopeful of signing French midfielder Abdoulaye Docuoure in the winter.

It would undoubtedly be a good signing for the club.

However, there are many reasons why Everton should not be making a move for the player. Most of them, revolve around money.

Everton made a £20 million approach for the player in the summer. That fell short of any Watford valuation. It also seemed Everton had no chance of signing a player from Watford considering the club’s public disagreement over the approach for Silva last season.

WATFORD, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Abdoulaye Doucoure of Watford celebrates scoring the 2nd Watford goal during the Premier League match between Watford and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on November 28, 2017 in Watford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

In the end, Everton did sign a player from Vicarage Road. Richarlison headed to Goodison Park to work with Silva. But no Everton fan would deny the club had to pay a ‘Silva-premium’ on the Brazilian. to how Watford feel about Everton’s pursuit of their former boss.

In the summer, that Watford value Doucoure at £45 million and such a fee would be astronomical for the player.

Everton might even have to pay more because of the fraught relations between the two clubs.

Considering Everton might have a chance of signing a player like Tanguy Ndombele from Lyon for a similar price, Doucoure may not be the best option.