According to reports from The Sun, Crystal Palace are reportedly eyeing a move for Scotland’s rising star, Ben Doak, if they fail to secure Lyon’s Rayan Cherki. This potential pursuit of Doak could create complications for Middlesbrough, where the young winger is currently on loan.
At present, Doak is playing at the Riverside Stadium as part of his temporary move from Liverpool, and all signs point to him staying for the remainder of the 2024/25 season. His continued presence at Boro would be a significant boost for the club as they aim to secure a top-six finish in the Championship and push for promotion back to the Premier League.
However, there is a possibility that Liverpool might decide to recall Doak in January, although this could be counterproductive for all parties involved. Doak has been thriving during his time with Middlesbrough, showing rapid progress, and a mid-season move could disrupt his development and the team’s plans. The forward is enjoying regular playing time, which has been crucial to his growth, and a recall could potentially stall both his progress and the momentum he has built at Boro.
Whether or not Doak remains with the Teesside club beyond January, it seems inevitable that he will be playing in the Premier League next season, either with Liverpool or possibly another top-flight club. His promising performances are attracting attention, and the 18-year-old has already been marked as one of the brightest talents in Scottish football.
Crystal Palace, based in London, have reportedly shown interest in the young winger. According to The Sun, if they miss out on Lyon’s Cherki, the Eagles are prepared to make a move for Doak in the January transfer window. This could pose a problem for Middlesbrough, as losing Doak midway through the season would significantly impact their push for promotion. The winger’s pace, flair, and potential could be key to Boro’s success, so his departure would be a setback for the club’s ambitions.
While Palace could attempt to sign Doak next month, they might choose to bide their time and wait until the summer transfer window to make a formal approach. In that case, Boro could still compete for the player’s signature if they achieve promotion to the Premier League. This would set up an interesting battle between Palace and Middlesbrough for the Scotland international, as both teams could see him as a key part of their plans for the future.
In terms of Crystal Palace’s potential offer, one intriguing possibility is that they could look to include their star defender Marc Guehi in a deal to secure Doak’s services. Guehi has reportedly expressed interest in moving to Anfield, which could make him a valuable bargaining chip in any negotiations. The young England international has been a standout performer for Palace and would be a highly sought-after player on the market. If Palace are willing to cash in on Guehi, Liverpool might see this as an opportunity to strengthen their squad while facilitating a move for Doak.
The inclusion of Guehi in the deal would give Palace an edge over other suitors, including Middlesbrough, who would likely face competition from other Premier League clubs for Doak’s signature. The possibility of a player exchange involving Guehi could tilt the balance in Palace’s favor, especially if Liverpool are keen to reinforce their defense.
However, the timing of such a move remains uncertain. It is not clear whether Crystal Palace would be willing to part with Guehi in January, as they may prefer to wait until the summer transfer window to make any significant changes to their squad. Additionally, Palace may not want to lose Guehi midway through the season, as he has been an integral part of their defensive setup.
Regardless of whether the move takes place in January or the summer, it is clear that Ben Doak is a player with significant potential, and his future is being closely watched by some of the top clubs in English football. His time at Middlesbrough has shown that he is ready to make the step up to the Premier League, and the coming months will likely determine which club he will represent in the top flight.
Middlesbrough’s hopes of securing promotion to the Premier League are now intricately tied to Doak’s continued development and potential stay at the club. If they are able to hold on to him for the rest of the season and return to the Premier League, they may have a strong chance of securing him permanently, especially if Palace opt to wait until the summer to pursue a deal.
In conclusion, while the immediate future of Ben Doak remains uncertain, it is clear that his performances are catching the eye of several top clubs, including Crystal Palace. Whether he stays with Middlesbrough for the remainder of the season or moves to the Premier League, it is likely that the young winger will be playing at the highest level next season, with the Eagles and other clubs watching his development closely. For now, all eyes are on the January transfer window and what the future holds for both Doak and Middlesbrough.
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