Report: Everton to sign Watford's Doucoure in £20M deal

Everton reached an agreement with Watford on Wednesday to sign versatile midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure for £20 million, according to The Telegraph's Chris Bascombe.

Doucoure is expected to become Everton's third major signing of a transformative summer window. Napoli's Allan and Real Madrid's James Rodriguez are already set to join the Toffees in the coming days, boosting manager Carlo Ancelotti's options in midfield.

Doucoure, one of Watford's key performers in recent seasons, was previously linked with a move to Arsenal, and said he was "flattered" by rumors of Paris Saint-Germain's interest.

Everton tried to sign the 27-year-old last year, when Marco Silva was still in charge of the Merseyside outfit, according to Bascombe. Silva coached Doucoure at Watford during the 2017-18 season.

Watford put Doucoure on the market after being relegated from the Premier League in late July.

The Frenchman served largely as a defensive midfielder during his time with the Hornets, but later played in an attacking role under Nigel Pearson.

Doucoure scored 17 goals and laid on 12 assists in 141 appearances since joining Watford from Ligue 1 side Stade Rennes in 2016.