Mali are hoping to convince Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré to switch allegiance from France and have him in the squad for their World Cup play-offs in March.
That’s according to Foot Mercato, who say the Everton man is one of several players with dual nationality that Mali are hoping to convince.
They carry quotes from the President of the Malian FA, Baviuex Toure, who, after a meeting of the executive committee of the Malian Federation on Wednesday, revealed their efforts to the press.
“We are in negotiations for the arrival of Abdoulaye Doucouré, Moussa Dembélé and Cheick Doucouré. By the end of the week, we will have a result,” he is reported to have told them.
In Doucouré’s case, he’s said to have ‘already refused’ to represent the Eagles ‘on several occasions’, although when that was isn’t made clear.
The situation now appears to have changed, and the 29-year-old midfielder is in negotiations to swap from France.
He’s never played for the senior French team and indeed only has one appearance in the youth setup, a 75-minute appearance for the Under 21’s back in March 2014.
In fact, Doucouré even stated back in December 2020 that he felt underrated in France, having outperformed French internationals but never been given his chance in the team.
That’s certainly not changed since his move to Everton, and perhaps he’s now decided, in a World Cup year no less, it’s time for a change.
