Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure is locked in major negotiations for an international switch from France to West African powerhouse Mali.
The 29 year old who has never represented the French Senior National Team should be able to play for Mali in their World Cup playoff game against Tunisia in March, should the talks stay positive.
FootMercato.com reports that Doucoure has previously been asked several times to pledge his international career with the Eagles but has declined every time. However, current talks have been reported to be positive.
The same can be said for Lyon striker Moussa Dembele who is also in talks over a switch, as is RC Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure.
Doucoure could be a World Cup player in less than a year if he accepts Mali’s requests whereas he has next to no chance of that if he sticks with France.
France is well starked with quality in depth in midfield with the likes of N’golo Kante, Paul Pogba, Adrien Rabiot, Eduoardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni among others and it’s unlikely that at 29, the Everton star will receive his first French call-up.
Despite the fact that Mali have never qualified for a World Cup, they are just one victory (over two legs) away from doing so for the very first time.
Doucoure was born in Meulan-en-Yvelines, France to Malian parents and has the option of representing either country.
This post was written by Allan Damba, initially published by football256.com and reproduced by kick442.com as an official partner media
