Liverpool prepared to use wonderkid as 'bargaining chip' in move for one of Premier League's most sought-after players

Liverpool are hoping to use Scotland international Ben Doak as a makeweight in a deal for one of their priority transfer targets, according to a new report.

Doak, who is currently on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough, has been one of the club's standout performers under Michael Carrick this season as they push for a play-off spot.

He featured in 23 out of a possible 26 league games for Boro, scoring three goals and seven assists, but after picking up a thigh injury that required surgery, Doak hasn't played since January 25.

At the start of the year, the 19-year-old was subject of a number of bids. In fact, Liverpool rejected offers from Premier League sides Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace for the sought-after winger.

Palace are said to have submitted an offer worth £16 million for Doak, while Ipswich approached Liverpool with a bid of £15 million – both of which fell short of Liverpool's valuation.

Liverpool believe he is worth closer to the £30 million mark, according to The Times, while a more recent report from The Sun quoted an asking price in the region of £25 million.

In fact, that same report suggests Liverpool could use Doak as a 'bargaining chip' in any deal for Milos Kerkez or Antoine Semenyo, who have both impressed for Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth this season.

Kerkez has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs in recent months, including Manchester City and Manchester United, who have already made contact with the player’s representatives.

But a report from The i Paper in January claimed Kerkez 'favours a move' to Anfield over the two Manchester clubs.

Doak, who joined Liverpool from Celtic in 2022 for a reported £600,000, has been linked with a move away from Anfield. Image credit: Getty

Liverpool's director of football Richard Hughes, who worked at Bournemouth when Kerkez walked through the doors at the Vitality, is understood to play 'a major part' in the player's thinking.

It was suggested that Bournemouth are willing to do business around the £50 million mark for the highly-rated Hungary international, who has made 32 appearances for the Cherries this season.

Semenyo, meanwhile, is one of the players being scouted by Liverpool as they assess future targets for Arne Slot's second season in charge.