David Moyes targets former Celtic winger Ben Doak for Everton move

The Celtic Star

·3 April 2025

David Moyes targets former Celtic winger Ben Doak for Everton move

Former Celtic youngster Ben Doak is reportedly on Everton’s radar for a shock transfer from city rivals Liverpool…

Ben Doak of Scotland shoots Dominik Kotarski of Croatia attempts to make a save during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A1 match between Scotland and Croatia at Hampden Park on November 15, 2024. (Photo by Euan Cherry/Getty Images)

Ben Doak left Celtic in 2022 at just 16 years of age

The winger left Glasgow’s east end for Liverpool at just 16 years old. Since making the switch to Anfield, Doak, now 19, has featured in 10 senior games for Liverpool but is currently out on loan at English Championship side Middlesbrough.

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Everton boss David Moyes has identified Doak as a priority target for the upcoming summer transfer window, according to BBC Sport. He is reportedly available for around £25 million, with Bournemouth also showing interest. Although Liverpool might favour a move to the south coast over a switch across the city, the 19-year-old will have significant influence over his own future.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts alongside Ben Doak of Scotland during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A1 match between Scotland and Portugal at Hampden on October 15, 2024.(Photo by Euan Cherry/Getty Images)

Doak has delivered impressive performances for Scotland

Ben Doak delivered impressive performances for Scotland’s senior squad during the November international break last year after Steve Clarke finally played him. Currently sidelined with a thigh injury that required surgery, the winger’s return before the end of the season remains uncertain.

In his appearances for Middlesbrough, Doak has stood out, scoring three goals and contributing seven assists in 24 Championship matches this season.

Toulouse’s French defender #23 Moussa Diarra (L) and Toulouse’s Venezuelan midfielder #24 Cristian Casseres Junior (R) attempt to tackle Liverpool’s Scottish midfielder #50 Ben Doak (C) as he runs with the ball during the UEFA Europa League Group E football match between Toulouse FC (TFC) and Liverpool at the Stadium de Toulouse, in Toulouse, southwestern France on November 9, 2023. (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Why the move across Liverpool might appeal to Doak

With Moyes’ Toffees moving to Bramley-Moore from the start of next season, a move to Merseyside for Doak may take his game to the next level. Playing English Premier League football week in week out under a Scottish manager should be appealing enough for the ex-Celt.

While a new winger is a priority for David Moyes at Everton in the summer and the former Celtic Ben Doak is on their radar, other Premier Legue clubs are also interested in the Scotland international including Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.

Ben Doak signs for Liverpool. Photo Liverpool FC

His current club Liverpool, who took a giant step to the title last night with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Everton in the Merseyside Derby, have yet to decide whether to sell, loan or keep Doak at the end of the season.

Doak made his Celtic debut against Dundee United at Celtic Park

Doak made his Celtic debut in the closing stages of a 1-0 win over Dundee United at Celtic Park at the end of January 2022. He followed that up a few days later coming on in the midweek Glasgow Derby where Celtic blew away theRangers in an incredible first half from Ange Postecoglou’s side that saw them 3-0 ahead and that’s how it ended with Doak sampling another few minutes.

Ben Doak and Greg Taylor of Celtic celebriate victory after the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at on February 02, 2022. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

That was that for Doak in the Hoops with Celtic getting a small development fee of just £600k. However there should be a further windfall for Celtic if Liverpool do decide to offload the winger this summer with the price set to reach £15-20m Let’s hope that the transfer goes through and Celtic pick up a percentage of the fee.

It’s the least we deserve.

Conor Spence

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