Leeds United have turned their attention to a possible move to sign Liverpool right-winger Ben Doak this summer, but face a tough ask of convincing the Premier League holders to sell at a good price.
United’s pre-season concludes this Saturday in Dublin with a test against AC Milan, looking to showcase their credentials of competing with established top flight opposition.
A glaring shortcoming in their side as things stand is the lack of fresh attacking additions to the squad, with only Lukas Nmecha added to the front line since promotion.
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Leeds United eye possible move for Liverpool’s Ben Doak
After losing out to Marseille for Brazilian winger Igor Paixao, Leeds’ attention remains firmly on signing a new winger in some capacity.
The versatility of Largie Ramazani, Willy Gnonto and even Dan James means Leeds could explore various profiles of wide options, be that left or right-sided targets.
The Athletic now reveal that one player emerging as a possible candidate is Liverpool sensation Ben Doak, off the back of an impressive loan spell with Middlesbrough that was cut short by a hamstring injury from February onwards – notching three goals and seven assists under Michael Carrick and ranking incredibly high in multiple Championship metrics:
🏴 Ben Doak (Middlesbrough, 19)
— 99.9th percentile for key passes
— 99.8th percentile for progressive runs
— 99th percentile for assists
— 99th percentile for attacking actions
— 99th percentile for successful dribbles
— 97th percentile for xG+xA
📊🚨 The Liverpool loanee is… pic.twitter.com/gC4i5XiBYw
— DataMB (@DataMB_) December 5, 2024
Despite his setback, he has caught the eye with his pace and directness in Liverpool’s pre-season under Arne Slot, scoring a good goal in the 4-1 home win over Athletic Club on Monday.
(REUTERS/Phil Noble)
In terms of the Reds’ asking price, Beren Cross shared this insight:
“Liverpool rejected offers around £20million for the winger in January and value him around the same amount now. If they do not receive an offer in that range, they are happy to retain him as a squad option.”
Ben Doak for a fee in excess of £20million could be great business for Leeds United
We have to get it straight that Doak would not be a signing of the same calibre as Paixao, but that comparison is unfair to Doak himself.
Already a regular for Scotland at 19, the right-winger’s ceiling is incredibly high and signing him for a fee in excess of £20million now could represent a bargain in two years’ time.
The only issue with paying for a player’s potential is that we need signings in our attack to hit the ground running now.
It’s a big ask putting that sort of pressure on a teenager, as talented as he may be.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!