Towards the end of June, there were various reports in the French press discussing Crystal Palace’s interest in Cheick Doucouré.
It was also explained the RC Lens player was ‘very close’ to joining the Eagles after the two clubs reached total agreement for his transfer.
However, Crystal Palace are yet to conclude the deal to sign the midfielder and there’s a reason behind that.
Tuesday’s edition of L’Equipe explains the 22-year-old has had an agreement with the Premier League side for a ‘long time’, while the two clubs agreed a deal last week.
The operation slowed down due to administrative concerns. A source from Palace informed the newspaper that Lens will receive a fee from Patrick Vieira’s side, which will be slightly less than £24m including bonuses, for the Mali international.
L’Equipe points out a ‘major fact’ is that a ‘significant part’ of the fee will go to the Jean-Marc Guillou Academy in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, where Doucouré developed as a youth player.
These administrative issues now seem to have been resolved because the report explains Doucouré is ‘due to head to London tomorrow’ to seal his move to Crystal Palace.
