Liverpool seal £25m Ben Doak exit as funds freed up for Alexander Isak pursuit
Liverpool’s busy summer of transfer business continues, with Ben Doak set to complete a £25 million move to Bournemouth as the Reds clear space — and raise funds — for a potential return to the negotiating table with Newcastle over Alexander Isak.
The 19-year-old winger, who spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough, impressed with three goals and seven assists before injury cut short his campaign. Signed from Celtic in 2022 for just £600,000, Doak’s rise in value has been remarkable, and Liverpool will now bank a significant profit.
Talks accelerated over the weekend, with both clubs reaching an agreement. Only formalities remain before the Scotland international is officially unveiled on the south coast, where he is expected to replace Brentford-bound Dango Ouattara in Andoni Iraola’s side.
Bournemouth beat Porto and Stuttgart to the deal, after Liverpool lowered their £30m valuation slightly to strike a compromise. The Reds, however, will be satisfied — Doak’s exit pushes their summer sales close to £215m, following the departures of Jarell Quansah, Luis Díaz, and Darwin Núñez.
The Isak Domino Effect
Attention now turns back to Alexander Isak’s standoff with Newcastle United. Liverpool had a £110m bid rejected earlier this month, but with fresh funds available and Doak’s sale finalised, they are primed to test the Magpies’ resolve once again.
The Swede was absent from Newcastle’s opening match against Aston Villa, having not trained with the first team amid growing tensions over his future. Manager Eddie Howe admitted the saga is unsettling the squad, urging clarity:
“Nothing has changed – but the door is well and truly open [for Isak],” Howe said. “He has to decide what he wants to do. We would like a resolution. Any Premier League season is hard enough — you don’t need distractions to unbalance what we are doing.”
Isak’s absence was keenly felt as Newcastle failed to break down 10-man Villa, with fans growing increasingly frustrated by the striker’s stance.
Liverpool’s Next Move
With Doak gone and cash reserves replenished, Liverpool’s transfer strategy looks clear: maintain financial balance while pursuing top-tier reinforcements. The possibility of pairing Florian Wirtz’s creativity with Isak’s finishing power is one that excites fans, though Newcastle remain reluctant sellers.
For now, Liverpool wait — but the dominoes are falling, and Anfield’s summer rebuild shows no signs of slowing down.
