Latest news with #BenDoak
Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Ben Doak teases injury comeback as Scotland hero starts pre-season early ahead to impress Liverpool boss Arne Slot
Doak endured a torrid second half of last season on the sidelines with a hamstring problem It's been a difficult year so far for Ben Doak - but the Scotland hotshot looks to be gearing up for a return to action this summer. The former Celtic kid was in the midst of a successful loan spell at Middlesbrough last season until a hamstring injury suffered at the end of January ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign. It came just days after parent club Liverpool had knocked back reported bids worth £15million from Crystal Palace for the pacey winger, who burst onto the Scotland scene in style last year in Nations League A. Doak infamously picked up an injury in the lead-up to Euro 2024 that saw him miss the finals in Germany and his absence was certainly felt during the Nations League relegation play-off defeat to Greece back in March that saw Steve Clarke's drop from the competition's top tier. But in a video shared on social media, the 19-year-old has started his pre-season early in order to try and hit the ground running on his return to the Premier League champions next month, where he will be hoping to impress Anfield boss Arne Slot. In the short clip, Doak can be seen taking a shot at goal during an Empire Performance Elite session out in Portugal alongside fellow young Scottish hopefuls Dylan Reid and Charlie McArthur. Doak has made 12 first team appearances for Liverpool since making the move from Parkhead in 2022 but his long-term future in the red half of Merseyside remains unclear. As well as interest from Palace in the winter window, Doak was also sensationally linked with city rivals Everton earlier this year, with compatriot David Moyes now back in the hot seat at the new Bramley Moore Dock Stadium. Where Doak to make a shock switch to the other side of the Merseyside divide, then he would be the first player to do in 33 years. While several players including Rangers target Conor Coady and England hero Peter Beardsley turned out for both clubs during their careers, the last player to directly transfer from Liverpool to Everton was the late Gary Ablett back in 1992. However, Doak has been handed a potential reprieve at Anfield. Italy international Federico Chiesa is expected to leave the Reds this summer after just one season in the north-east of England, where his game time has been very limited. A return to Serie A could be on the cards for the winger, which in turn could improve Doak's chances of getting some minutes under Slot next season. Liverpool are splashing the cash as they gear up for the defence of their title and smashed their transfer record to land Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz for £116million last week.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool looking to strike £30m deal with Crystal Palace for forward
Liverpool have got plans to overhaul their strike line this summer. We could see Alexander Isak or Victor Osimhen arrive at the club in the No9 position - with Darwin Nunez set for the exit. Florian Wirtz has already been announced as Liverpool's record signing on a fee that could rise to £116m. The attack will be built around the talents of the Germany international in the seasons to come but given the scale of the outlay some departures will be required. Advertisement There are question marks against Federico Chiesa and Luis Diaz. Chiesa will probably end up back in Serie A with Napoli while Diaz is a target for Saudi Pro League clubs. One other player who could also be heading out of the club is Ben Doak. The 19-year-old enjoyed a breakout season on loan at Middlesbrough before injury struck in February. Ben Doak available for sale Before that he'd been flying high for the Championship promotion hopefuls with Liverpool even fielding enquiries from Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace in January. Neither club was prepared to match Liverpool's valuation - said to be around £30m - and Doak's situation remained unresolved. Advertisement Now the season is over, Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes have a decision to make over Doak. Do they keep him around as a backup to Mohamed Salah or do they cash in if a proper offer arrives? It appears Liverpool club bosses are indeed prepared to sanction a sale for the Scotland international. Furthermore, Crystal Palace could well be back on the menu - the same club that could end up selling Marc Guehi to the Reds. © IMAGO - Ben Doak Liverpool 2024-25 £30m Doak chased by Crystal Palace In an item discussing Everton's move for Tom Fellows of West Brom, it's claimed by TEAMtalk that the Toffees have ended their pursuit for Doak as a result of their efforts to sign the England under-21 international. Advertisement But the report also adds that Liverpool say Doak is available for a transfer this summer and Palace are again on his case. 'Doak caught the eye on loan at Middlesbrough last season and the Liverpool winger is free to leave with Crystal Palace also keen,' the report reads. 'Liverpool's £30m price tag looks to have scared off suitors, for now, with Palace pushing to strike an agreement for the 19-year-old.' The wide man remains a fine player but with Liverpool having signed up Salah for two more seasons - and adding Jeremie Frimpong - he would struggle for significant game time.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Football transfer rumours: Liverpool move for Guéhi? Rashford to Newcastle?
Marcus Rashford's future is very much in the 'up in the air' category. The chances of him ever playing for Manchester United look slim-to-none as he will not be given a boarding pass for the club's US tour, while a dream move to Barcelona is going up in smoke. A few Serie A clubs have had a sniff but his wages might be a stumbling block. What he really needs is a Champions League club with plenty of cash. Step in … Newcastle. The Magpies are back in the bigger time next season, will be eager to make a statement signing or two, and Rashford fits the bill. Liam Delap chose Chelsea over Newcastle and Eddie Howe likes to have the best English talent at his disposal, so Rashford would be an ideal candidate as an extra attacking option. It takes a brave man to move from Liverpool to Everton (and vice versa). Nick Barmby, Abel Xavier and Gary Ablett did the Merseyside double in their time and the next potential candidate is Ben Doak. The Scottish teenager impressed on loan in the Championship last season at Middlesbrough and is ready to step up to the Premier League but there is no obvious role he can play under Arne Slot. It means Doak might need to find an alternative and at least this one means he will not have to move house. Advertisement Related: Men's transfer window summer 2025: all deals from Europe's top five leagues Another potential Liverpool exitee is Jarell Quansah. He is currently playing for England at the European Under-21 Championships but that is not stopping talking going on in the background with Bayer Leverkusen over a summer move. The Germans are not short of cash having sold Jeremie Frimpong and – imminently – Florian Wirtz to Anfield. Said cash splashing is not coming to an end for Slot, who also wants Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guéhi to bolster his centre-back options. A year ago the defender was subject to bids from Newcastle but £65m was deemed insufficient and the Eagles are unlikely to have dropped their price. Burnley are seeking some extra quality now they are back in the promised land. One potential incoming is the Lazio winger Loum Tchaouna who could head from Rome to Turf Moor in a deal worth in the vicinity of £12m. Advertisement Igor Thiago has endured a difficult time at Brentford through a mixture of injury and the form of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa. Despite the fact at least one those forwards will depart this summer, the Brazilian could also be allowed to leave with Besiktas contemplating a move for the former Club Brugge man. Speaking of those who could swap London for Istanbul, José Mourinho is eager to bring Thomas Partey to Fenerbahce for absolutely nothing. The midfielder's contract is days away from expiring and the club and player have failed to agree a new one, leaving him free to leave. Napoli are eager to add to Kevin De Bruyne in midfield and are targeting Brighton's Matt O'Riley. The Danish international has been the subject of a £26m bid from the Italian champions.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Football transfer rumours: Liverpool move for Guéhi? Rashford to Newcastle?
Marcus Rashford's future is very much in the 'up in the air' category. The chances of him every playing for Manchester United look slim-to-none as he will not be given a boarding pass for the club's US tour, while a dream move to Barcelona is going up in smoke. A few Serie A clubs have had a sniff but his wages might be a stumbling block. What he really needs is a Champions League club with plenty of cash. Step in … Newcastle. The Magpies are back in the bigger time next season, will be eager to make a statement signing or two, and Rashford fits the bill. Liam Delap chose Chelsea over Newcastle and Eddie Howe likes to have the best English talent at his disposal, so Rashford would be an ideal candidate as an extra attacking option. It takes a brave man to move from Liverpool to Everton (and vice versa). Nick Barmby, Abel Xavier and Gary Ablett did the Merseyside double in their time and the next potential candidate is Ben Doak. The Scottish teenager impressed on loan in the Championship last season at Middlesbrough and is ready to step up to the Premier League but there is no obvious role he can play under Arne Slot, so might need to find an alternative and at last this one means he will not have to move house. Another potential Liverpool exitee is Jarell Quansah. He is currently playing for England at the European Under-21 Championships but that is not stopping talking going on in the background with Bayer Leverkusen over a summer move. The Germans are not short of cash having sold Jeremie Frimpong and – imminently – Florian Wirtz to Anfield. Said cash splashing is not coming to an end for Slot, who also wants Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guéhi to bolster his centre-back options. A year ago the defender was subject to bids from Newcastle but £65m was deemed insufficient and the Eagles are unlikely to have dropped their price. Burnley are seeking some extra quality now they are back in the promised land. One potential incoming is the Lazio winger Loum Tchaouna who could head from Rome to Turf Moor in a deal worth in the vicinity of £12m. Igor Thiago has endured a difficult time at Brentford through a mixture of injury and the form of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa. Despite the fact at least one those forwards will depart this summer, the Brazilian could also be allowed to leave with Besiktas contemplating a move for the former Club Brugge man. Speaking of those who could swap London for Istanbul, José Mourinho is eager to bring Thomas Partey to Fenerbahce for absolutely nothing. The midfielder's contract is days away from expiring and the club and player have failed to agree a new one, leaving him free to leave. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Napoli are eager to add to Kevin De Bruyne in midfield and are targeting Brighton's Matt O'Riley. The Danish international has been the subject of a £26m bid from the Italian champions.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Report: Liverpool weigh £30m sale as Brentford and others show interest
Ben Doak and Liverpool's £30m Opportunity: Smart Business or Short-Sighted Sale? Transfer Turbulence Around Young Talent Liverpool's summer activity has been relentless, with deals flowing in and out of the club in rapid succession. The latest transfer spotlight, however, is fixed on 19-year-old Ben Doak, a name that barely registered with the casual fan last summer but now finds himself a £30m-rated target for a trio of Premier League clubs. Advertisement Per the Hounslow Herald, Brentford are keen to add Doak to a growing collection of ex-Liverpool talent, having already secured the signatures of Caoimhin Kelleher, Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho over the past two summers. But they're not alone. Crystal Palace and Brighton have reportedly entered the fray, a development that significantly strengthens Liverpool's hand. Sale May Fund Big-Name Targets Liverpool's motivation is clear. While they've already welcomed Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen and bid farewell to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kelleher, bigger targets are on the radar. Chief among them is Florian Wirtz. Liverpool to recoup funds to help fund Wirtz and more. With the club still engaged in talks over Milos Kerkez and potentially a striker, Doak's sale could serve a broader strategic purpose. His potential may be considerable, but in a summer of reshaping, even promising youth might be considered expendable to fund marquee arrivals. Market Value and Timing Work in Liverpool's Favour Doak's value, and the timing of this interest, place Liverpool in an advantageous position. Ipswich Town had tried in January, but the Reds didn't want to sell. The mood seems to have shifted, and rightly so. The competition between Brentford, Brighton and Crystal Palace all but guarantees a fee close to the full £30m. Photo IMAGO Given that Doak's 2024/25 campaign was hampered by injury after a strong loan stint at Middlesbrough, it's a bold valuation—but not unrealistic. There's enough performance data, promise and Premier League readiness to justify it, particularly in a summer when even mid-table clubs have serious money to spend. Development Versus Immediate Value Selling Doak would be another sign that Liverpool are prioritising short-term gains and proven quality over longer-term squad depth and player development. That may be a calculated risk worth taking, but it will only pay off if their reinvestments—particularly in the Wirtz deal—yield immediate returns. Advertisement It's a recurring theme under Fenway Sports Group: buy low, develop smart, and sell high. In this case, it might be more about selling smart and buying elite. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis There's no doubt Ben Doak has something about him. Pacey, direct, and fearless—he looks every inch a player suited to Arne Slot's dynamic football. His performances at Middlesbrough hinted at serious potential, and despite injury setbacks, most Liverpool fans would have liked to see him get a proper run in the first team before decisions are made. That said, £30m is no small change for a player who's still largely unproven at Premier League level. If that money helps secure someone like Florian Wirtz, a generational talent who could redefine Liverpool's attacking play, then it becomes more palatable. But it always stings to see homegrown or carefully scouted youth sold on just before they might explode. Advertisement Brentford, Brighton and Palace are all clubs with smart recruitment and solid coaching. If any of them land Doak, he'll probably thrive. The worry then is hindsight. If he becomes a star elsewhere, fans will question why we didn't show more patience. Still, given the bigger picture and financial pragmatism required to stay competitive in the modern game, this looks like a sale Liverpool can afford to make—but only if they get the rest of their summer business absolutely right.
