Liverpool have inserted a buy-back clause into Ben Doak's contract at Bournemouth following his move to the south coast, the latest report has claimed.
The Reds have been the Premier League's biggest spenders, with their total outlay on players like Florian Wirtz taking their expenditure close to the £300m mark.
Arne Slot's side have also made a significant amount from sales this window now that Doak has been sold to Bournemouth for a fee of £25m, bringing their total income from exits above £200m.
Doak leaves Liverpool having failed to make a single Premier League start for the club, but despite his lack of experience at the top level, some supporters were disappointed that the 19-year-old was sold.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the Reds have the option of triggering a buy-back clause that was placed in the Scotsman's contract, and he could make his return to Anfield if he develops at the Vitality Stadium.
Liverpool's Ben Doak and Andy Robertson pictured on October 5, 2023
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Doak has often played on the right of attack in his career, and given he would have been competing with Mohamed Salah for minutes at Liverpool, a move away was perhaps the best option for his career.
The winger's exit means that there is no natural backup to Salah, with full-back Jeremie Frimpong the most likely candidate to fill in for the Egyptian when he departs for the Africa Cup of Nations in the winter.
Hugo Ekitike is the club's only recognised striker as things stand, and while the Reds are keen on Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, a deal with the Magpies does not appear to be forthcoming.
Cody Gakpo is the only senior left-winger at the club, and the only player that could fill in across the entire attack is Federico Chiesa, though Slot has so far not shown that he trusts the Italian to start games.
Though Doak may not have been able to play much, he joins the likes of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz as forwards to have left Anfield, and Liverpool's lack of depth up front is a concern ahead of the September 1 deadline.
Ben Doak of Middlesbrough during his side's Championship match against Plymouth Argyle, on December 21, 2024
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Even if Liverpool sign more players, there is a risk that the club's newcomers will take time to settle with the stars already at the club, something that could lead to mixed performances on the pitch.
The Red beat Bournemouth 4-2 on Friday at Anfield, but the starting XI occasionally looked disjointed, with left-back Milos Kerkez struggling to make an impact.
Slot has already lost the likes of Jarell Quansah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Caoimhin Kelleher, Diaz and Nunez this summer, and it would be unfair to expect their replacements to all hit the ground running.
The Dutch manager demonstrated last season the importance of continuity given Chiesa was his only signing in either the summer or the winter, and yet he was able to win the Premier League title regardless.
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