Leeds United are now exploring a deal for Liverpool winger Ben Doak as he has caught the eye.
Despite Daniel Farke looking into more physical players in his transfer window plan, the 19-year-old Liverpool starlet might be too good to turn down.
Doak has been dubbed ‘really exciting’ as the Scotsman has impressed since his move from Celtic in 2022.
After a loan at Middlesbrough gave him his first full season in the professional game, clubs including Leeds are lining up for the winger’s signature.
To add to his case of why he’s so promising, Jurgen Klopp gave him very high praise in 2023.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty ImagesJurgen Klopp said Leeds United target Ben Doak brought dribbling and bravery
Doak is so nimble on the ball and could be the Whites’ weapon on the wing moving forward.
A deal around £20 million would be enough to secure his transfer, but what Klopp said previously should be enough to convince the 49ers.
The German spoke on Doak at the end of the 2022/23 campaign in a press conference after being asked about young players at the Reds, and Klopp said the 19-year-old stood out above the rest.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
“Special boy. Really confident, has something nobody else delivers really, this kind of dribbling, this kind of straight-forward bravery, all these kind of things.”
As seen above, he’s some talent, and after an impressive start to pre-season with the Merseyside club this season, his interest will only heighten.
Liverpool fans have called Doak Mohamed Salah’s successor, which adds to how high his ceiling really is.
The only thing that might be questioned is his experience in the game, but that has also been approved by Klopp.
Ben Doak has early experience at Liverpool which could make him ideal for Leeds United
At 19, a step-up to the Premier League is a big responsibility, not to mention he would be Leeds’ starting winger.
But his ability in the second tier shows that he’d fit right in with Farke’s current squad, who are also trying to prove their worth.
Ben Doak for Middlesbrough in Championship 2024/25, as per FotMob
Just one full season in the professional game isn’t ideal, but Klopp also loved how well Doak adjusted to life at Liverpool.
Speaking after giving Doak a run-out in a friendly against AC Milan in 2022, the former Liverpool boss was again full of praise.
“Ben Doak comes on, 17 years old, and is this kind of natural force, it’s really cool to see,” Klopp said.
“I’m not sure the Academy could watch the game tonight, but when you see these boys performing in a game like this, it’s cool.
“It’s a real physical game, adult football is a physical game, and the boys need to make these steps so they can get ready for it step by step.
“How I said, the physical part will come, but until you are that strong, you can create a lot of ideas, you can do things a bit smarter.”
The Whites manager might have been worried about the winger’s physicality, but this shows he’d be up for the challenge.
Doak has the perfect profile for Leeds through his creativity, and after one of the greats has given his stamp of approval, his signing should be a no-brainer.