Liverpool to bank ‘steep figure’ as Ben Doak transfer gamble emerges
Liverpool look set to sell Ben Doak before the transfer window closes.
The 19-year-old is highly rated at Anfield but has not been able to work his way into Arne Slot’s first-team plans.
Doak was left out of Liverpool’s 4-2 win over Bournemouth due to transfer speculation, and it appears that the Scotland sensation will not get the chance to expand on his 10 appearances for the Reds.
He had a difficult task of overhauling Mohamed Salah on the right flank, and that was always an impossible challenge.
Liverpool News presents the exclusive opinion of iconic football commentator Ian Darke.
Liverpool to bank £25m for Doak sale
Liverpool are set to secure a £25million fee for Doak, with a deal with Bournemouth on the verge of being completed.
Darke believes that the figure Liverpool will secure for the Scottish winger is about right, considering the state of modern football.
Speaking exclusively to Liverpool News, he said: “He is not tested, but I think £20million is almost the minimum for any player who there is any demand around.
“While it is a figure that looks a little bit on the steep side, maybe 10 or 15 years ago, I think now it is regarded as a routine kind of price.
“He does have that body of work that he did in the first half of last season at Middlesbrough, where he was pretty impressive and had them challenging at the top, they faded away a bit when he got injured.
“He has got this big asset of being mighty quick, lots of teams are looking for an express train to play out wide, people have looked at him enough, especially in his time with Boro, to decide he can do the job for them.
“Recruiting people take a look at players and make a decision on whether they will come off in the Premier League. There is always some element of a gamble in it, even further up with the likes of Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres.
“If you read the book that Ian Graham has written on how Liverpool won the Premier League, it is exhaustive, the kind of stat breakdowns they do on these players before they make their decisions.”
Doak has been unlucky to not make it at Liverpool
If Doak does depart, it is not a result of a lack of quality.
He has been unfortunate with injury issues, and would have perhaps been seen as a solid squad option if he had been able to stay fit.
- Signed from Celtic in 2022 for £600,000
- Knee surgery in December 2023, missed most of the 2023/24 season
- Spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough, notched three goals and seven assists
There was never a huge likelihood that he would have been able to usurp Salah, and it is probably the right time for all parties to move on.
It would not be a surprise if the Reds put a buy-back clause into any deal.
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