Crystal Palace move for £26m star could 'get done eventually' at Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace and RC Lens will both have to ‘compromise’ in order to complete a deal for Cheick Doucoure, according to The Sun journalist Tom Barclay.

Doucoure is believed to be at the top of Patrick Vieira’s wish list as he continues to search for Conor Gallagher’s long-term heir after he returned to parent club Chelsea following his successful season-long loan.

French outlet La Voix Du Nord has reported that Palace have agreed personal terms with Doucoure but that the two clubs still need to settle on a price for the midfielder.

It’s claimed that Lens are set to demand €25 million (£21.5m) for their prized asset, although a recent report in The Sun stated that the Ligue 1 outfit could demand as much as £26m.

The Mali international played a pivotal part in Lens finishing seventh in the top-flight standings last term, registering five goal contributions in his 34 league appearances.

And it’s hoped that Doucoure’s ability to read the game and intercept opposition passes before kickstarting moves of his own will allow Palace to continue their impressive progress under the tutelage of Vieira.

Palace appear to be someway off from reaching an agreement with Lens at this moment in time, but Barclay has revealed his ‘gut feeling’ is that the capital club will sign Doucoure eventually.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, he said: “They just don’t want to pay what they consider to be over the odds.

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“So, my gut feeling is that it probably gets done eventually, but it will take a bit of compromise on both sides, and we’re just waiting for that to happen.

“You’ve got to remember that the transfer windows got so long to run, it’s only just opening, isn’t it,