PALACE are reportedly far away from agreeing on a deal to sign summer transfer target Cheick Doucoure from Lens.

The midfielder is one option manager Patrick Vieira is looking at in order to strengthen his midfield ahead of his second season at Selhurst Park.

Vieira earned a lot of plaudits during his debut campaign in the Premier League as a manager, which a lot of positive results coming from midfielder Conor Gallagher, who has returned to Chelsea at the end of his loan spell.

This means there is a hole in the Palace midfield and Doucoure is believed to be seen as an option to fill the void.

However, according to French media outlet L'Equipe, the two clubs are quite far away from agreeing on a deal, which would see the Frenchman play his football at Selhurst Park next season.

Lens are demanding a fee of at least €25m before they agree to sell one of their best players, but Palace are not prepared to go that high as of yet.

It is believed that Doucoure wants the transfer to go through and has agreed on personal terms with Palace.

More negotiations are expected to take place in the coming days, with Palace hopeful that Lens will lower their demands.

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