Mali 'look to lure Abdoulaye Doucoure, Ibrahima Konate and Moussa Dembele from France'

Mali have reportedly convinced Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure to switch nationality, and are now working on luring Moussa Dembele and Ibrahima Konate.

Doucoure has played for France's youth sides but never their senior team - and, as he was born to Malian parents, he is eligible to be selected by the African nation.

Liverpool defender Konate and Lyon striker Dembele have also failed to get a look in under Didier Deschamps, with reports claiming Mali are in talks with them next.

According to journalist Saddick Adams, they have finally been successful in their attempts to win over Doucoure, having fallen short in their previous attempts.

Indeed, it is understood they were rebuffed in 2019 and September 2020, with the 29-year-old insisting that he still harboured a dream of representing Les Blues.

However, if recent claims are to be believed, he will now turn out for Mali instead, starting with their crunch clashes against Tunisia on March 25 and 29.

Konate, meanwhile, has struggled to displace the likes of Jules Kounde and Dayot Upamecano at the heart of France's backline despite his big move to Anfield.

With no apparent prospects of this changing, he too is said to have picked Mali.

The centre back was born in France but, just like Doucoure, also has Malian heritage. His lack of a senior Les Blues cap enables him to also swap national teams.

This is not the first time that Mali have swooped for him, either, after they came calling back in 2019.

The winner of the two-legged tie between Mali and Tunisia will qualify for the World Cup in Qatar, with all three big names braced to play an integral part.