Former Celtic winger Ben Doak is at the centre of a major transfer chase, with Nottingham Forest the latest Premier League club to be linked with the winger.
As reported by the Daily Express, Forest have joined the queue for the 19-year-old as they look to replace Anthony Elanga, who recently made a £55 million switch to Newcastle.
Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Dundee United – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – January 29, 2022 Celtic’s Ben Doak Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Doak, who came through the ranks at Lennoxtown before leaving Celtic for Liverpool in 2022, is now reportedly valued at £25 million by the Anfield club.
The teenager made his name in Glasgow as a standout in the youth system, even earning a couple of senior appearances under Ange Postecoglou before making the jump to England. His early departure drew frustration among the Celtic support, especially with his potential now becoming increasingly clear.
After a spell on loan at Middlesbrough where he gained first-team experience, Doak is said to be keen on a permanent move to get more regular senior football. Nottingham Forest, now in Europe after a surprise seventh-place finish, are keen to use their spending power to land a replacement for Elanga and see Doak as a viable option, according to the Daily Express.
It’s not just Forest showing interest. Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Everton and Brentford are all keeping tabs on the Scotland international, while Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven and several Spanish clubs are also watching developments closely.
Doak’s stock rose further after an eye-catching cameo for Scotland at Hampden in November, where his turn of pace and trickery left Croatia and Manchester City defender Joško Gvardiol in his wake. That flash of quality underlined why so many clubs are now circling.
Soccer Football – UEFA Nations League – Group A1 – Croatia v Scotland – Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb, Croatia – October 12, 2024 Scotland’s Ben Doak in action with Croatia’s Borna Sosa and Josko Gvardiol REUTERS/Antonio Bronic
From a Celtic point of view, there’s frustration that a talent who came through the club’s academy is now being quoted at such a high price, having left for a modest compensation fee just two years ago.
While there’s no suggestion of a sell-on clause in the deal, his progress is another reminder of the talent produced at Lennoxtown, and the challenge of keeping them in green and white when Premier League giants come calling.
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