Crystal Palace set to make ‘improved bid’ for Liverpool star linked with Brentford and Fulham
Crystal Palace are reportedly set to make an improved bid in their pursuit of Liverpool youngster Ben Doak, who is currently on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough.
Doak, 19, has made 21 Championship appearances for Boro so far this season, scoring two goals and six assists. He has helped Michael Carrick’s side to fifth in the league after 26 matches. Liverpool rejected Palace’s £15m bid for the forward last week, deeming that their valuation of Doak was far higher than the Eagles’ initial offer. Seeing as the Reds could recall Doak from Boro, interested clubs can pursue him for a transfer this month.
According to the Guardian, Palace are to make an improved bid worth around £20m for the Scotland international. However, Liverpool’s asking price will command a bid closer to £30m for Doak. The Reds initially signed Doak in 2022 from Scottish side Celtic, to whom they paid £600,000 in compensation, meaning they are set to make a healthy profit on the 19-year-old should they sell him. However, they have not made it clear as to whether they are completely open to selling Doak, who can play both as a winger or attacking midfielder.
Crystal Palace face competition to sign Ben Doak
The Eagles aren’t the only Premier League team to hold significant interest in the Liverpool attacker. Ipswich are also said to have interest, as they made an initial bid of £16m, which was also quickly rejected by the Reds.
The report suggests that the Tractor Boys are likely to come in with another offer in a similar range to the prospective £20m bid that Palace could make. It could spark a bidding war between the two sides as they aim to tempt Liverpool to ship the promising 19-year-old.
Furthermore, London rivals Brentford and Fulham are both reportedly interested in the attacker, however, both of them are yet to make an approach for the 19-year-old, unlike Palace and Ipswich.
Palace look to the Championship to strengthen in January transfer window
Recent reports have suggested that Palace are set to battle Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham to sign Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham, who is set to command around a £20m transfer fee. They are also reportedly keen on Bellingham’s Sunderland teammate Trai Hume, a full-back who despite being just 22, has already captained the Northern Ireland National Team.
Hume is subject to transfer interest from fellow Premier League sides Aston Villa, Bournemouth, and Leicester City. Sunderland have reportedly set a £10m price tag for the defender.
