Leeds United have a golden opportunity to sign a former NXGN award nominee
Leeds United are back in the Premier League after winning the Championship title. They won promotion from the Football League along with Burnley and Sunderland. Daniel Farke’s side need to ensure that they are prepared for the step up in quality in the top flight.
The Whites have the chance to bring in some new faces before the end of the transfer window. They also have the opportunity to let some individuals head out the exit door at Elland Road as well before the deadline on Monday 1st September. That would help free space and funds in their squad to pave the way reinforcements.
Leeds United eye Liverpool winger Ben Doak
Leeds are admirers of Liverpool’s £20 million-rated Ben Doak this summer, according to The Athletic. Doak, who is a Scotland international with six caps under his belt, is facing an uncertain situation at Anfield. It remains to be seen whether he will stay put or move on.
Doak, 19, has a bright future ahead of him in the game and would a shrewd long-term addition for the Whites if they managed to get. His chances of breaking into the Reds’ first-team are slim at the moment due to competition for his position from the likes of Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo. Therefore, an exit would be a sensible decision.
The Ayrshire-born gem started out at local team Ayr United before Celtic picked him up. He rose up through the illustrious academy ranks at Celtic Park and was a regular for the Glasgow giants at various different youth levels. The teenager then became a key player for their B in the Lowland League to get experience.
Doak went on to play twice for the Hoops’ senior team and was lured down the border to England by Liverpool in 2022 before he could fully make a name for himself with his former club. He has since featured on 10 occasions since his switch to Merseyside, with the majority of games coming under Jurgen Klopp. Arne Slot was appointed around 12 months and guided them to the title.
The forward was given the green light to spend time with Middlesbrough in the Championship in the last campaign. He used his time at the Riverside Stadium to boost his development and learn from their ex-head coach Michael Carrick. He went on to score three goals in 24 outings for Boro before injury struck.
Why Ben Doak would suit Leeds United
If Leeds signed Doak, he would give them more competition and depth on the wing. He would give them something different to call upon in games. Although his experience in the top flight is limited, he played a decent amount for Middlesbrough last term and will be ready for the next step in his career next.
The Whites will be hoping that their new acquisitions can all gel together quickly and adapt to Farke’s style of play. They will be under no illusion as to how different the level of their opponents will be and they have to be ready. The Yorkshire outfit have delved into the market to bring in the likes of Jaka Bijol, Anton Stach and Lucas Perri.
Apart from Sean Longstaff and Lukas Nmecha, the bulk of their signings haven’t played in England before. Therefore, Leeds’ next recruits should be players who have experience of this country. Doak would therefore fit the bill and it wouldn’t take him long to adapt.
Now is the right time for him to leave Liverpool for a change of scene. He isn’t going to start much under Slot and needs to be playing every week somewhere else. The Whites would be a perfect next home for him and could offer him regular minutes after going up from the second tier.
First up for Farke’s men is a home clash against Everton on Monday 18th August. That clash is an ideal opportunity to get three points early in front of their own fans. They then face a tricky away trip to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday 23rd August.
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