Everton still have a lot to do in the summer transfer window after signing Thierno Barry.
With the influx of departures at the start of the month, Everton’s squad is looking pretty thin ahead of the pre-season tour in America later this month.
As such, there should be some urgency around Finch Farm to get some deals completed in time for July 26th – their first game in the States against Bournemouth.
David Moyes is eyeing Douglas Luiz from Juventus, and the Toffees are reportedly ready to make a loan with an option to buy offer.
However, the Italian giants want a permanent transfer, with Luiz’s price tag set at around £34m, which seems reasonable.
Now, one of Everton’s other rumoured targets is attracting interest from Nottingham Forest, so they need to get a move on.
Nottingham Forest join race for Liverpool winger Ben Doak amid Everton interest
Everton are in desperate need of more quality on the flanks, with Dwight McNeil and Iliman Ndiaye preferring to operate centrally.
With that said, Moyes is showing an interest in Ben Doak, who could be allowed to leave Liverpool for around £30m this summer.
Now, according to the Express, Nottingham Forest have joined the race to sign Doak as they look to replace Anthony Elanga.
The report claims that Everton have already made an official enquiry to their Merseyside rivals, so clearly there are serious legs to a transfer.
The only stumbling block appears to be Liverpool’s lofty valuation, as it was previously reported that Everton would only go to £15m.
Anyhow, Moyes and his chiefs now have Forest to compete with, whilst Bournemouth, Brentford and Crystal Palace continue to circle.
What Jurgen Klopp has said about Doak
Doak joined Liverpool from Scottish giants Celtic in 2022 when Jurgen Klopp was at the helm and the German head coach was a huge fan of the jet-heeled winger.
Speaking in 2023, Klopp labelled Doak ‘special’.
“Special boy,” the former Liverpool boss said.
“Really confident, has something nobody else delivers really, this kind of dribbling, this kind of straight-forward bravery, all these kind of things.”
His manager at Middlesbrough last season, Michael Carrick, was also very complimentary about his skillset.
“He’s a real threat,” said Carrick. “He’s young, but if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.”
Clearly, if Everton can wangle Liverpool down to a reasonable price and beat Forest to his signature, it’d be a really exciting addition.
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