Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira ‘would like’ to sign RC Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure this summer, according to Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge.

The 22-year-old has been heavily tipped to make a switch to Selhurst Park ahead of next season after enjoying a fabulous campaign in French football.

What is the latest news involving Doucoure?

It was recently claimed by The Telegraph that Vieira had made Doucoure his ‘priority’ for the current transfer window as he searches for reinforcements in the middle of the park.

Fellow Premier League outfit Everton are also believed to be eager to snap up the Mali international, who has two years remaining on his contract at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

A fee in the region of £15 million was initially believed to be enough to prise Doucoure away from Lens, although an update on his situation has claimed that figure could be wide of the mark.

According to The Sun, the engine room operator will actually set any potential suitor back £26m, a fee that would make him Palace’s second-highest ever purchase behind Christian Benteke.

What has Bridge said about Doucoure?

In an interview with GiveMeSport, Bridge said: “Palace will have to negotiate a fee with Lens, which hasn't been done at the moment.

“I think it's more the player has indicated to the club he wants to maybe move on this summer, but there hasn't been any huge movement on that as yet.

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“It's crazy that the Nation's League was still going on until the 13^th of June, obviously, clubs are coming back to training a week or so earlier this season. So, you would expect all these clubs would want to sort of get some stuff done now.

“With Covid lifted, they're going to be going abroad this time, so hopefully these things will start getting ramped up, but he is a midfielder Vieira would like, for sure.”

Would Doucoure be a good signing?

Doucoure racked up a very respectable five goal contributions in 34 Ligue 1 appearances from a largely defensive-minded role at the base of the Lens midfield. But his underlying numbers were far more impressive.

As per FBref, the youngster ranked in the 93^rd percentile for progressive passes and progressive carries while also ranking in the 84^th percentile for interceptions compared to his positional peers over the last year.

Although Doucoure would perhaps not be able to replace Conor Gallagher’s output in the final third of the pitch, he could certainly ease the blow of losing the former loanee should he remain at Chelsea.