Update emerges regarding Fulham’s ‘first choice’ transfer target from January

Fulham-linked Abdoulaye Doucoure is poised to be handed a new deal by Everton. The midfielder’s contract was due to expire at the end of this season.

Reporter Fabrizio Romano claims the Toffees have ‘triggered’ a clause to keep hold of him. He is now due to remain with the Merseyside outfit until June 2024.

Fulham were reportedly keen on snapping up Doucoure in the January transfer window. He worked with Marco Silva at Watford and The Athletic suggested he was a ‘first choice’ target for the Whites this past winter. However, he ended up staying at Goodison Park.

The Mali international, who is 30-years-old, has played for Everton since 2020 and is currently looking to help them avoid relegation from the Premier League. Sean Dyche’s side are two points above the drop zone and their fate is in their own hands heading into their final game of the campaign at home to AFC Bournemouth.

Doucoure started his career at Rennes in France and broke into their first-team as a youngster before going on to play 92 games before his move to Vicarage Road. He then became a key player for the Hornets in his four years in Hertfordshire prior to Everton’s call.

A reunion with Silva isn’t beyond the realms of possibility in the future, especially if the Toffees go down. For now though, he is set to see his stay extended as he prepares for a huge weekend coming up.

In other Fulham news, Brazilian journalist Diogo Rossi has said a move to Gremio is now unlikely for striker Rodrigo Muniz. He has spent this past season on loan at Middlesbrough in the Championship but struggled to make an impact at the Riverside Stadium under Michael Carrick and is facing an uncertain long-term future with his parent club.