TBR Football can now exclusively reveal why Ben Gannon Doak rejected Everton and Crystal Palace for Bournemouth.
The Scotland international sealed a £25m move from Liverpool to Bournemouth on Monday after impressing on loan at Middlesbrough last season, where he scored three goals and provided seven assists in 24 Championship appearances.
Crystal Palace even tried to sign Gannon Doak in January before that loan spell ended – as did Ipswich.
However, the 19-year-old has now opted for Bournemouth despite both of those sides retaining an interest, along with Everton.
Graeme Bailey – Chief Correspondent for TBR Football – can now share why Ben Gannon Doak rejected Everton and Crystal Palace for Bournemouth.
Exclusive: Ben Gannon Doak feels Bournemouth is the best option for his career
TBR Football understand the teenager feels Bournemouth represent the wisest step for the sake of his career – given developments that have already taken place under Andoni Iraola this summer.
Dango Ouattara recently departed for Brentford, leaving a space in the wide attacking areas for Gannon Doak, and Marcus Tavernier also moved centrally in the 4-2 defeat at Liverpool, so the Scottish winger should get plenty of playing time.
Iraola is also known to get the best out of his wide men.
In regards to Ipswich, the Tractor Boys wanted Gannon Doak to replace Omari Hutchinson after his £37.5m move to Nottingham Forest, but the Dalry-born forward was eager to play Premier League football.
Liverpool can buy Ben Gannon Doak back if he impresses
TBR Football can confirm Liverpool negotiated a buy-back clause for Gannon Doak as those at Anfield do still rate the youngster very highly, but did not want to crush his hopes of regular football this season.
Bailey says: “Liverpool rated Gannon Doak very highly, but they did not want to stand in his way. They did not think there was a route for him to first-team football in the near future.
“The player himself had the taste for first-team football during his loan spell at Middlesbrough, and he wants that again.”
The value of this buy-back clause remains undisclosed, but would presumably land Bournemouth a profit if triggered.