Liverpool have officially confirmed the departure of another player, with many praising the move as a piece of “smart business” by the club.
On Monday evening, the Reds announced through their website and social media channels that Ben Doak has completed a permanent transfer to Bournemouth. Reports indicate that the Cherries are paying £25 million for the 19-year-old Scottish forward.
Doak originally cost Liverpool just £600,000 when he joined from Celtic in March 2022. Since then, he has made only 10 senior appearances, yet turning such a modest investment into a major profit has drawn widespread praise for the Merseyside club.
In his analysis of the deal, Gregg Evans of The Athletic acknowledged Doak’s raw talent but highlighted the financial brilliance of the transfer. He described it as a shrewd piece of business by Liverpool’s hierarchy. Evans also pointed out that Doak’s loan spell at Middlesbrough last season underlined his potential, while his international performances — particularly a standout display against Croatia’s Joško Gvardiol — showed his ability on the big stage.
However, with Mohamed Salah committing to a new contract last summer, Doak’s pathway to regular first-team football at Anfield was always limited. Aware of his rising market value, Liverpool decided to cash in this summer. Evans noted that earning £25 million for a player with only 10 appearances and no goals in a Liverpool shirt represents outstanding value.
For Bournemouth, the move presents Doak with the opportunity to secure consistent game time, something that was unlikely at Liverpool with Salah firmly established in the right-wing role.
This deal also fits into a familiar pattern under FSG, who have consistently secured strong fees for players unable to cement their place at Liverpool. Just last summer, the sales of Fábio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg to Brentford brought in over £50 million combined.
While it is unfortunate that Doak did not fully break through at Anfield, his reputation has grown significantly since his arrival in 2022. Now at Bournemouth, he will have the chance to unlock his full potential under manager Andoni Iraola.
Good luck on the south coast, Ben Doak.
