:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67350821/1156443874.jpg.0.jpg)
French midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré has reportedly completed his medical as he closes in on a move from Watford to Everton.
The Athletic report that Doucouré, who will sign a four-year contract at Everton, underwent his medical today (Thursday, September 3), with a £22 million deal set to be finalised within the next 24 hours.
#WatfordFC #EFC transfer latest
— Adam Leventhal (@AdamLeventhal) September 3, 2020
Details on Abdoulaye Doucoure deal. Medical completed today. 4 year contract. Fee understood to be £22m. Expect official confirmation/announcement next 24 hours.
Background to transfer for @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/0lp45tL9gM
News broke on Wednesday evening that Everton had agreed a fee with Watford over Doucouré, which is said to potentially rise to £25 million including add-ons.
Everton made a bid in the region of £35 million for Doucouré last summer, a move which would have reunited him with his former Watford manager Marco Silva, but the Hornets rejected the offer.
Following Watford’s relegation and Everton’s continued interest in the Frenchman, though, his services look to have been secured at a lower price.
The 27-year-old is one of three midfielders set to join Carlo Ancelotti’s side, with Napoli’s Allan and Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez also on the verge of completing moves to Goodison Park.
Everton have yet to add to their senior squad since the elongated 2019-20 season ended on July 26, with 19-year-old left-back Niels Nkounkou their only summer arrival thus far.
All three of Doucouré, Allan and Rodriguez could be in line for their competitive debuts when Everton kick off their 2020-21 Premier League campaign at Tottenham on Sunday, September 13.
Before then, they may feature in Everton’s second and final pre-season friendly at home to Preston North End on Saturday, assuming their signings are completed in time.