Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq is reportedly pushing hard to secure the services of Malian midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré, with negotiations said to be at an advanced stage as the 32-year-old weighs his options following the expiration of his Everton contract.
After five productive seasons at Goodison Park, Doucouré is set for a new chapter in his career.
Now a free agent, the powerful midfielder is attracting strong interest from clubs across the Middle East and Europe.
However, any club hoping to sign him will need to meet the financial demands he has set for his next move.
Al Ettifaq is leading the race and is prepared to offer Doucouré an annual salary of $6 million in a bid to lure him to Dammam.
This marks a significant increase over the $4 million offer previously tabled by Shabab Al Ahli, but sources suggest the Mali international is holding out for an even more lucrative deal.
“Abdoulaye Doucouré has the choice between the athlete and the financier,” said Mahamadou N’Diaye, highlighting the delicate balance the player must strike between sporting ambition and financial reward.
Reports indicate that Doucouré is targeting a salary closer to £8 million per year—approximately €9.54 million or 6.2 billion CFA francs.
At Everton, he was earning an annual income of €7 million, excluding performance-related bonuses.
Doucouré’s experience and versatility make him a valuable asset.
Over his career, he has amassed 278 Premier League appearances, scoring 36 goals and registering 25 assists while playing for both Watford and Everton.
His résumé also includes stints in Ligue 1, where he featured 75 times with 12 goals and 12 assists, and La Liga, where he appeared in 15 matches, delivering two assists.
In addition to Al Ettifaq, several other clubs have expressed interest in securing his signature.
Al Hilal has reportedly included him on their shortlist, while newly promoted Neom SC, Al Sadd, and Al Qadisiyah have also joined the race.
Outside the Gulf region, English side Leeds United and Italian giants AS Roma are monitoring his situation closely.
As Doucouré assesses his next move, Al Ettifaq’s willingness to meet his financial expectations could prove decisive.
With talks ongoing, the coming days may determine whether the experienced midfielder opts for a lucrative Saudi adventure or chooses to remain in one of Europe’s top leagues.
