Leeds United are preparing for a significant summer.
After Daniel Farke guided the Whites back into the Premier League, plans are now being made to ensure the English giants stay there, having spent two seasons in the Championship after relegation in May 2023.
Kalvin Phillips has been linked with a move to Elland Road – where he made his name in football – while Leeds United also want Tomas Soucek amid doubts over his future at West Ham.
In the meantime, another Premier League midfielder linked to Leeds United has now added fuel to the fire by waving goodbye to his own fans.
Abdoulaye Doucoure spotted appearing to bid farewell to Everton
A story from French news outlet Sport claimed towards the end of April that Abdoulaye Doucoure is nearing a move to Leeds United as he approaches the end of his contract at Everton.
The Mali international sees his current terms expire on June 30th.
Doucoure recently said he is keen to stay with the Toffees, although they are yet to offer him fresh terms, revealing: “I would love to, to be honest. I’m not joking. I would love to stay. I love the club.
“I’m just waiting for the club to offer me that contract and we will see with my agent how the solution is going to be.”
However, Doucoure may have since been told he won’t be getting a new deal, as the Everton No.16 was seen waving to the Goodison Park faithful with tears in his eyes after David Moyes substituted him during the 2-0 win over Southampton earlier on Sunday.
The 32-year-old, who the Toffees spent £20m to sign from Watford in September 2020, may have just felt slightly emotional as Everton played their final game at Goodison Park, although the wave strongly suggests he is about to depart.
Is that a goodbye from Abdoulaye Doucoure? 👋
The Everton midfielders contract expires in the summer
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/OoqoKBoDRN
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 18, 2025
Abdoulaye Doucoure’s Premier League record as Leeds United learn from mistakes
One problem Leeds United seemed to make in their last stint in the Premier League was signing players with little or no Premier League experience, particularly in midfield as the likes of Weston McKennie and Brenden Aaronson struggled.
However, links to the likes of Doucoure, Soucek and Phillips suggest the Whites have learned from this.
“WHAT A HIT! WHAT A GOAL!” 🚀@abdoudoucoure16 with the moment that mattered. 💙 pic.twitter.com/C8ekxY4fil
— Everton (@Everton) May 28, 2023
Signing Doucoure in particular would be a very wise move.
The man born in Meulan-en-Yvelines boasts 277 Premier League appearances to his name, in which he has scored 36 goals and assisted a further 24.
Therefore, if Leeds United can secure his signature on a free transfer, it could prove to be a masterstroke.
