Transfer chase for Liverpool wonderkid Ben Doak, 19, officially over due to special clause as four Prem clubs miss out
THE transfer chase for Liverpool whizkid Ben Doak is over – for now.
The Scottish winger, 19, has been in sensational form during his season-long loan at promotion-chasing Middlesbrough.
However, Boro’s Championship play-off hopes looked set to be seriously scuppered as a host of Premier League clubs started a January scramble to sign Doak.
Liverpool rejected £15m bids from both Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town for the livewire with both Brentford and Leicester also believed to be keen.
The Reds were holding out for £25m but received no further offers – and now it is too late for him to go anywhere else this month.
A cut-off clause was inserted in the deal that took Doak to the Riverside to ensure that Boro could not be left short by Liverpool recalling the ex-Celtic ace late on in the window.
And after Doak scored a stunner on Tuesday to help secure a 2-0 win over West Brom, Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick confirmed: “The deadline has passed for Ben.
“I said all along I was calm! Obviously we’re really happy he’s here, but genuinely, it hasn’t been a big thing for us.”
Doak, who has produced six assists, cut in from the right to curl a left-footed beauty into the far corner from 20 yards against the Baggies to take his tally to three for Boro.
And now his future is sorted, Carrick wants to see Doak continue to add more millions to his price tag and fire the North East club back into the big time.
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Carrick added: “He showed again tonight how dangerous he is and then scored a terrific goal.
“It’s something he can do a little bit more, come inside onto his left foot, because it’s something he’s good at as well. I’m delighted with it.
“He’s got that weapon and unique threat. The way he plays the game, everyone has their own strengths, but the way Ben plays the game, he’s always in the game and always a threat.
“We’re obviously happy he’ll be staying here. He’s a big role and he’ll continue to do that for the time that he’s here.”