Everton are sensationally interested in signing a Liverpool player, reports claim.
David Moyes is prepared for a summer of upheaval and has several targets lined up – but one potential swoop is certain to raise eyebrows on Merseyside.
According to The Guardian, the Toffees have discussed moving for Reds forward Ben Doak, who impressed during his loan spell at Middlesbrough this season.
Doak, 19, made 24 appearances for the Championship side and scored three goals before returning to his parent club after suffering an injury in January.
Liverpool are said to be holding out for a fee of between £25million and £30m but are not actively looking to offload the promising youngster.
The attacker moved to Anfield from Celtic for a fee of £600,000 in March 2022 and has made ten appearances to date for the Premier League champions.
Everton have discussed launching a sensational swoop for a Liverpool player this summer
The two clubs are used to blood and thunder duels on the pitch and rarely do business
But the Toffees are keeping tabs on £30m man Ben Doak, who impressed at Middlesbrough
It is currently unclear whether Everton would be able to – or prepared to – meet Doak’s hefty price tag as they look to spend money wisely.
Bids of £15m and £16m from Crystal Palace and Ipswich respectively were rebuffed by Liverpool in January while a number of European sides were also keen.
Doak would become the first player to cross the city divide in this direction since Gary Ablett, who was sold to Everton for £750,000 in January 1992.
Moyes’ squad is set to be gutted this summer. Abdoulaye Doucoure, Ashley Young, Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia will all leave when their contracts expire while five players who spent the campaign on loan will also depart Goodison Park.
Decisions must also be made on the futures of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Michael Keane and Idrissa Gueye, whose contracts are up at the end of June.
Moyes has admitted he is concerned with the scale of the rebuild.
‘Yeah, yeah I am,’ he said. ‘I don’t think it’s something you’d have ideally as any manager – such a big changeover.
‘I knew we had this situation when I came into the job. There is a chance for big change but it’s easier said than done.
Liverpool are not actively looking to offload Doak, who joined from Celtic in 2022
Doak made 24 appearances for Middlesbrough in the Championship before suffering an injury
‘You want to build layer after layer.
‘I am surprised at how well the players have done, so well, which has made the decisions a bit easier because if we don’t get anybody we are happy with what we’ve got.
‘We have five loan players. Most clubs have one or, at worst, two. We have five.
‘That alone gives you an idea. We don’t hold the value of those players.’
