Everton man was ‘first choice’ target for Fulham as the Cottagers eye summer transfer swoop

Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure was Fulham boss Marco Silva’s primary midfield target in the January transfer window. The pair worked together at Watford.

He was the ‘first choice’ as the Cottagers scoured the market for reinforcements in the middle of the park but the club were put off by his hefty salary, as detailed in a report by The Athletic. However, they ended up getting Sasa Lukic from Torino instead on deadline day.

Doucoure, 30, has made 12 appearances so far this season, 10 of which have come in the Premier League. Everton are currently joint-bottom of the league and face a battle to avoid relegation to the Championship under new boy Sean Dyche.

Fulham were also after Fluminense midfielder Andre after being alerted to the 21-year-old’s impressive performances over in Brazil. Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte report they will reignite their pursuit in the summer after failing to strike a deal this winter.

The report youngster says that clubs Spain, France, Portugal and the Netherlands are also keen on him. However, the Whites are the ‘most interested’.

In other Fulham news, The Sun claim Antonee Robinson is on Manchester City’s radar. The USA international was at the World Cup earlier this winter.