Arsenal’s Rice deal increases asking price for Liverpool target

Declan Rice could make his first start for Arsenal on Saturday as the Gunners face Manchester United in a pre-season friendly in New York. 

The England international was a second-half substitute during Arsenal’s 5-0 win over an MLS All-Stars side last week, but he could be involved from the start against the Red Devils next time out.

Rice, 24, joined the North London club from West Ham United earlier this month for a fee of £105 million – a record fee for a British player.

The fee was also the highest in Arsenal’s history, but it appears that the deal could also have impacted other Premier League clubs.

According to Football Insider, Crystal Palace have increased their asking price for midfielder Cheick Doucoure following the completion of the Rice deal.

The Mali international is said to be a target for Liverpool this summer, but his price has recently increased.

The report claims that Palace had initially valued the midfielder at £35 million, but Rice’s move and speculation surrounding the future of Moises Caicedo have distorted the market and caused Doucoure’s price to climb.

Doucoure is reportedly now valued at £50 million

Brighton and Hove Albion star Caicedo has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea this summer, but the Ecuador international looks set to cost more than £70 million if a deal is agreed.

Doucoure, 23, joined Palace from French side Lens last summer and impressed during his first season in London, making 35 appearances across all competitions.

The midfielder’s performances didn’t go unnoticed, though, and he has been heavily linked with a move away from Selhurst Park in recent days.

Liverpool are reportedly interested in the player having lost Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner this summer, but the report claims that the Reds are yet to make an official approach for Doucoure.

The Reds are also set to sell both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson in the coming days, with the pair both expected to move to Saudi Arabia to join Al-Ittihad and Al-Ettifaq respectively.

With that in mind, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is keen to bolster his midfield options, but it appears that one of their top targets could now prove to be far more expensive than first thought.