Former Celtic youngster Ben Doak is reportedly on Everton’s radar for a shock transfer from city rivals Liverpool…
Ben Doak left Celtic in 2022 at just 16 years of age
The winger left Glasgow’s east end for Liverpool at just 16 years old. Since making the switch to Anfield, Doak, now 19, has featured in 10 senior games for Liverpool but is currently out on loan at English Championship side Middlesbrough.
Everton boss David Moyes has identified Doak as a priority target for the upcoming summer transfer window, according to BBC Sport. He is reportedly available for around £25 million, with Bournemouth also showing interest. Although Liverpool might favour a move to the south coast over a switch across the city, the 19-year-old will have significant influence over his own future.
Doak has delivered impressive performances for Scotland
Ben Doak delivered impressive performances for Scotland’s senior squad during the November international break last year after Steve Clarke finally played him. Currently sidelined with a thigh injury that required surgery, the winger’s return before the end of the season remains uncertain.
In his appearances for Middlesbrough, Doak has stood out, scoring three goals and contributing seven assists in 24 Championship matches this season.
Why the move across Liverpool might appeal to Doak
With Moyes’ Toffees moving to Bramley-Moore from the start of next season, a move to Merseyside for Doak may take his game to the next level. Playing English Premier League football week in week out under a Scottish manager should be appealing enough for the ex-Celt.
While a new winger is a priority for David Moyes at Everton in the summer and the former Celtic Ben Doak is on their radar, other Premier Legue clubs are also interested in the Scotland international including Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.
His current club Liverpool, who took a giant step to the title last night with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Everton in the Merseyside Derby, have yet to decide whether to sell, loan or keep Doak at the end of the season.
Doak made his Celtic debut against Dundee United at Celtic Park
Doak made his Celtic debut in the closing stages of a 1-0 win over Dundee United at Celtic Park at the end of January 2022. He followed that up a few days later coming on in the midweek Glasgow Derby where Celtic blew away theRangers in an incredible first half from Ange Postecoglou’s side that saw them 3-0 ahead and that’s how it ended with Doak sampling another few minutes.
That was that for Doak in the Hoops with Celtic getting a small development fee of just £600k. However there should be a further windfall for Celtic if Liverpool do decide to offload the winger this summer with the price set to reach £15-20m Let’s hope that the transfer goes through and Celtic pick up a percentage of the fee.
It’s the least we deserve.
Conor Spence
