Bournemouth are closing in on the signing of Liverpool winger Ben Doak, talkSPORT understands.

The Cherries are close to agreeing a transfer worth around £25million with the Premier League champions for the Scotland international, who has impressed in pre-season.

5



Liverpool winger Ben Doak is closing in on a move to BournemouthCredit: Getty

Portuguese giants FC Porto have also made an approach for the 19-year-old.

Ranked: Brentford's top five most expensive players ever after Dango Ouattara signing	Revealed: Bournemouth land stunning £90m+ from done deals	Marcus Rashford cites Liverpool example in plea for Man United to escape “no man’s land”

Ironically, Bournemouth face Liverpool at Anfield on Friday in their Premier League opener - live on talkSPORT - where negotiations for the player could be tied up.

Celtic and West Ham had both been linked with a move for the player in recent weeks, with the Hoops reportedly telling their former youngster Doak he would be a guaranteed starter if he returned to Celtic Park.

Doak is hoping to make a huge splash after a frustrating campaign last time out.

Read more on Liverpool

The promising starlet joined Middlesbrough on a season-long loan and impressed in the first-half of the campaign.

But his stay at the Riverside was cut short due to a thigh injury, with Doak returning to Merseyside in March after undergoing surgery.

Liverpool are reluctant to lose the winger and have already rebuffed bids with another loan deal preferred.

But Bournemouth’s £25m offer appears to have met Liverpool’s conditions for a sale with both clubs finalising the final details of a transfer.

Liverpool signed injured Italian who took four months to start before Carragher jibe

Brentford set for £42.5m Wissa replacement and deal could trigger £150m transfer domino

Liverpool's big-money summer signing was sent off on Anfield debut leaving manager fuming

Slot braced for Chelsea title challenge as Liverpool boss opens up on new-look champions

The move has been accelerated by Dango Ouattara’s impending £42.5m switch from Bournemouth to Brentford, with Doak seen as the perfect replacement for the Burkina Faso international.

That deal is likely to trigger a domino effect that could work in Liverpool's favour, with Yoanne Wissa set to leave Brentford for Newcastle, which could then end the Alexander Isak saga as he eyes a move to Anfield.

5

Doak will replace the outgoing Dango Ouattara who will sign for BrentfordCredit: Getty

5

The winger impressed during his loan spell at Middlesbrough last seasonCredit: Getty

Doak’s contract at Anfield runs until 2027, meaning Liverpool hold a strong position in negotiations with interested parties.

Although he is yet to have a breakout season at club level, Doak has shown his promise for Scotland having earned six senior international caps for his country.

He was named in Scotland’s provisional squad ahead of Euro 2024 only to withdraw late on through injury.

Doak was finally able to make his international debut last September in a 3-2 defeat against Poland.

Former Scotland striker Ally McCoist waxed lyrical about Doak after his first appearances at international level, claiming he can be the key player for his country in the years to come.

"One thing I was mumping and moaning about at the Euros in particular, is we’ve got nothing in wide areas," McCoist told talkSPORT last November.

"Nothing in wide areas that can beat a man, commit defenders and go by them, force other defenders and fullbacks to come out and get in behind them.

Boy, we’ve got it.

5

Doak left Ally McCoist impressed when featuring for ScotlandCredit: Getty

"He’s got pace, he’s direct.

Do you know that way you’re looking at a kid, and he’s playing without any fear?

"He’s fearless.

I mean, he gave [Josko] Gvardiol a torrid time, a torrid time in the game and then he does really well for John McGinn’s goal in Poland, as well.

"As I say, he’s got something different in the wide area.

He can drop his shoulder, he’s intelligent, good pace, direct, but he’s got a lovely step over and a movement of the body.

Lovely, lovely stuff."

Last season’s loan spell at Middlesbrough saw him line up 24 times for the Championship outfit, netting three goals and providing seven assists.

But a thigh injury suffered in January brought a premature end to his season where he was forced to return to Anfield to undergo surgery and a period of rehabilitation.

Doak impressed with some bright performances in Liverpool's pre-season campaign, with one goal and one assist in four appearances, although he was an unused substitute for last weekend’s Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace at Wembley.

5

Doak could now reach his true potential under the guidance of Andoni IraolaCredit: Getty

With intense competition for places at Anfield and a summer of heavy spending, Doak’s career could ignite under Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.

Read More on talkSPORT

The Spanish tactician has a proven track record of developing young talent who have gone on to earn big moves.

Milos Kerkez, Illia Zabarnyi and Dean Huijsen have all earned moves to European giants this summer in Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid respectively.


For more news relating to West Ham, visit our sister site WHU Latest Live.