AFC Bournemouth’s hopes of signing Middlesbrough loanee Ben Doak have been boosted by Dougie Freedman’s exit from Crystal Palace, according to journalist Alan Nixon on his Patreon page.
Middlesbrough swooped to land the winger on loan from Liverpool last summer. His deal with Boro is due to expire at the end of the season.
Boro - Middlesbrough loan ace Ben Doak
Image courtesy of: ANDREW BOYERS/REUTERS.
Doak, 19, has been a hit with the Championship side and is a key player under Michael Carrick when he is fit. He has made 24 appearances in all competitions in this campaign and has chipped in with three goals and seven assists.
In this latest update regarding his future at Anfield by reporter Nixon on Patreon, Bournemouth could push ahead of Crystal Palace in the driving seat for his signature after Freedman’s departure from Selhurst Park to Saudi Arabia. The Cherries are keen to snap him up on a permanent basis when the next transfer window opens.
Middlesbrough landed Doak to boost their attacking department.
He was given the green light to leave Liverpool to get some experience under his belt in the Football League.
Boro - Middlesbrough winger Ben Doak
Image courtesy of: PAUL CHILDS/REUTERS.
Carrick said in November last year, as per BBC Sport: “It’s everything you want. In terms of the level (he’s reached), it’s very difficult to envision something happening so quickly.
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“There’s no getting away from it, Ben’s having a really good time of it at the moment. He’s playing some good football and looking dangerous.
“The opportunity for him to come here and play and be part of the squad – he’s obviously confident. We know his strengths, it’s pretty obvious what he’s good at and he’s taken that on to Scotland as well.”
Doak rose up through the academy ranks at Celtic after linking up with them from Ayr United.
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He was a regular for the Hoops at various different youth levels before going on to play twice for their first-team.
Liverpool swooped to sign him in 2022 and he is highly-rated by the Merseyside giants.
The Scotland international has played 10 times for the Reds and all his game for them came under their former boss Jurgen Klopp.
He was then allowed to depart by Arne Slot and they will have a decision to make if an offer comes in from the likes of AFC Bournemouth or Crystal Palace.
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Doak hasn’t played for Middlesbrough since late January due to a thigh injury and they will continue to assess him.
It remains to be seen what Liverpool opt to do with him amid links to AFC Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.
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