sevendayweekender – Bournemouth has signed Liverpool winger Ben Doak in a deal worth an initial £20 million, with £5 million in potential add-ons. The 19-year-old winger has committed to a five-year contract, becoming the Cherries’ fourth signing of the summer transfer window. Doak’s move promises him more first-team opportunities, as he featured only 10 times for Liverpool since joining from Celtic in 2022.
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Doak was notably left out of Liverpool’s 4-2 win over Bournemouth at Anfield, signaling his imminent departure. He expressed excitement about the move, stating, “I’m buzzing to be here. It feels like the right time for me and a great opportunity to play regular football at the highest level.” He added that Bournemouth’s fast-paced, attractive style suits his game perfectly.
Last season, Doak spent time on loan at Middlesbrough in the Championship. There, he played 24 matches, scoring three goals and providing seven assists. His performances helped him win six caps for Scotland. Bournemouth reportedly beat competition from Premier League clubs like Leeds United and Portuguese side Porto to secure his signature.
This transfer also fits into Liverpool’s summer strategy, as the club has sold players worth nearly £200 million while investing over £270 million in new signings. Major outgoing transfers include Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich for £65.5 million and Darwin Nunez to Al-Hilal for £46.3 million. With Doak’s sale, Liverpool continues to balance their books and comply with financial sustainability rules.
Bournemouth’s Busy Summer and Future Plans
Bournemouth has experienced significant player turnover this summer. The club recently sold Dango Ouattara to Brentford for £42.5 million. Additionally, defenders Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen, and Milos Kerkez departed for Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Liverpool, collectively earning the Cherries about £150 million.
Manager Andoni Iraola acknowledged the club’s current challenges following the 4-2 loss at Anfield. He said, “We are not where we want to be,” and promised “important movements” before the September 1 transfer window closes. Bournemouth has already added goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, left-back Adrien Truffert, and centre-back Bafode Diakite to strengthen the squad. January signing Eli Junior Kroupi has also rejoined the team after a loan spell at Lorient.
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Despite these additions, the club continues to pursue a central defender and a striker to support Evanilson. The team faces the setback of striker Enes Unal being sidelined with a major knee injury expected to keep him out until late in the year.
Bournemouth’s proactive approach to recruitment aims to maintain competitive balance in the Premier League. With Doak’s signing, the club hopes to inject youthful energy and pace into their attack. Their focus on building a resilient squad suggests a determined effort to improve results as the season progresses.
