Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Warning sent to Liverpool attacking target amid claims transfer is ‘close to being agreed’

Ben Doak, Liverpool target

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has sent a transfer warning to starlet Ben Doak, with Liverpool gunning to complete a move in the next few weeks.

According to The Athletic, Liverpool are close to finalising a deal with Celtic for the attacking midfielder, who can also operate as a winger. The Scottish outfit want to keep Doak north of the border but have little chance in keeping Liverpool off him.

The 16-year-old is yet to sign a professional contract, meaning Jurgen Klopp’s side would only have to pay ‘minor compensation’ to land him.

Doak is attracting attention from several ‘top clubs’. However, there are three reasons why he wants to move to Anfield.

The first is the draw of playing for one of Europe’s elite teams. Liverpool won the Champions League in 2019 and are aiming to lift the trophy again this season.

The Reds are also known to give young players a chance. Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones and Trent Alexander-Arnold are recent examples, and Doak could follow.

The final reason for a potential Liverpool switch is the ability to work with Klopp. The German is largely responsible for getting Liverpool back to where they belong – towards the top of the Premier League table.

Ben Doak learns manager’s stance

Despite the transfer being close, Postecoglou believes Doak is best to remain at Celtic Park.

The manager told The Scottish Sun: “I’ve said all along my role is to look after the footballers that want to be here. The footballers that don’t want to be here? There’s another avenue there for them.

“When you look at the starting line-up against Dundee United there were a few boys who started out as ball boys for our club.

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“You can’t tell me they haven’t had careers – they’ve represented their country, they’ve won trophies.

“There are a couple down south who started here too. People may think going down south is a reward or some guarantee of success.

“Life – and football in general – shows you there are many avenues towards that goal. I think you’re in a great place here if that’s what your end game is.”

Liverpool also in for Barcelona man

It seems Doak is not the only winger on Liverpool and Klopp’s radar.

According to Mundo Deportivo journalist Xavier Bosch, Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele could join Paris Saint-Germain or Liverpool this summer.

He reports that a move to Paris would be a ‘comfortable destination’ for the winger. Having been born in Vernon, this would take him within an hour of his hometown.

Despite this, Bosch, however, claims the World Cup winner may actually pick a move to Merseyside. Indeed, he describes Liverpool as the ‘best option’ for the winger.

According to the report, Klopp is beginning to fear the departure of Mohamed Salah next season. As such, it’s suggested he reckons Dembele’s ‘pace and dribbling would amaze at Anfield’.

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