Liverpool could use Ben Doak as an intermediary to sign Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.
The Cherries are reportedly interested in signing Doak, 19, who has been a regular in the Championship for play-off contenders Middlesborough this season. And that coincides with Liverpool liking Semenyo.
The Ghanaian international, 25, is an important part of the team with which Andoni Iraola has surprisingly built a European football push. That's why he carries a £50 million price tag for the January transfer window.
The midfielder is valued at £30 million, according to the Sun, which would drastically reduce the cost required to sign Semenyo. The same report claims the Cherries are hopeful of winning the race because of his signature – and see him as an ideal replacement should Semenyo depart. However, the Reds would be sacrificing a highly rated prospect if they decided to sell him or use him in a potential trade deal.
Former boss Jurgen Klopp has made no secret of his high praise for Doak during his time as manager. “Special boy. Really confident, has something that no one else can really do, this kind of dribbling, this kind of straightforward courage, all this kind of stuff,” Klopp said in 2023.
However, there appears to be no immediate route into the first team at Anfield for him, at least not into the starting XI, with Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai all excelling for Arne Slot this season. Behind that trio, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott, among others, are first in line.
Slot is less blessed with options on the right side of his attack, which could become a major problem if Mohamed Salah does not agree to a new contract at the end of the season and leaves as a free agent. And that does not seem to have escaped the notice of the club chiefs, hence the interest in Semenyo.
He has scored five goals and provided two assists in 19 league appearances so far this season. That would also have attracted the attention of Newcastle United.
Comments