Ben Doak closing in on £25m Bournemouth move from Liverpool
Doak made 10 senior appearances for Liverpool and spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough
Ben Doak is closing in on his move from Liverpool to Bournemouth in a deal worth £25million over this weekend, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The 19-year-old Scotland winger had attracted interest from several clubs, including Porto, West Ham United, and Wolves, but talks accelerated with Bournemouth on Friday.
Doak made 10 senior appearances for Liverpool and spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough, where he registered three goals and seven assists before injury cut his campaign short.
In January, both Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town had shown interest, but Liverpool were unwilling to sanction a deal at the £15m fees being discussed at the time, valuing him closer to £30m.
Reds officials have now settled on a £25m fee with Bournemouth, who identified Doak as the ideal replacement for Dango Ouattara.
Ouattara recently joined Brentford for £42.5m to succeed Yoane Wissa, who is heading to Newcastle United.
The deal was spearheaded by Cherries sporting director Simon Francis and head coach Andoni Iraola.
The transfer continues Liverpool’s busy summer of sales, which has seen them raise over £215m.
Departures include Trent Alexander-Arnold (£10m), Jarell Quansah (£35m), Caoimhin Kelleher (£18m), Tyler Morton (£15m), Luis Díaz (£65m), Nat Phillips (£3m), and Darwin Núñez, who joined Al Hilal for an initial £45m.
Liverpool’s net spend now stands at £105m, inclusive of add-ons.
Teenage defender Giovanni Leoni became their eighth signing of the window on Friday after completing a £26m switch from Parma.
Doak’s exit leaves Arne Slot with five senior forwards for his three-man attack, including Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike, Mohamed Salah, Federico Chiesa and teenage winger Rio Ngumoha, who provides additional depth.
The Premier League champions also remain attentive to Alexander Isak’s situation at Newcastle.
Their £110m bid was rejected earlier this month, but Liverpool are prepared to return to the table if the Magpies show any willingness to negotiate.
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