Ipswich Town emerge as contender to lure player out of Middlesbrough FC this January | OneFootball

Middlesbrough's Liverpool loanee, Ben Doak, is on Ipswich Town's radar this January.

Middlesbrough FC look to have a fight on their hands when it comes to retaining Ben Doak this winter, with Ipswich Town now emerging alongside Crystal Palace with an interest in the Liverpool loanee.

Michael Carrick and Boro have been trusted by Liverpool with the development of Doak this season, with the winger impressing in the Championship.

Ipswich Town interested in Doak deal

A report from Alex Crook on X has suggested that Ipswich are interested in signing Doak this January. They face Premier League competition for the services of the Boro loanee, though, with Crystal Palace also name-checked by the talkSPORT reporter.

It's said that Liverpool are looking for £30m to trigger a permanent exit for Doak, who has 10 senior appearances for the Reds. Further reports from The Northern Echo say that Palace's bid has been £15m and Ipswich's stands at £16m - both were knocked back with there seemingly an ambition at Liverpool to retain Doak unless a ridiculous offer arrives.

Kieran McKenna is clearly keen to bolster his options in wide areas this January, as he bids to keep Ipswich in the Premier League against the odds.

They have already been linked by many with a move for Aston Villa's Jaden Philogene, with the BBC citing Chiedozie Ogbene's season-ending Achilles injury as the reason for their winger pursuit.

Ben Doak impressing at Middlesbrough under Michael Carrick

Carrick is giving Doak the platform to impress in the Championship for promotion-chasing Boro.

The 19-year-old has played 20 times in the Championship, 17 of which have come in the starting line-up. He's scored two goals and registered five assists for Boro, who currently sit fifth in the table following their 1-0 win over Hull City on New Year's Day.

Doak's goals came in a 2-0 win over Stoke City in September and Boxing Day's 3-3 epic with Sheffield Wednesday. His burst of five assists came across a five-game spell in November, including braces against Luton Town and Hull.

Frustratingly for Boro, they look at risk of losing Doak this January and there's very little they can do about it if Liverpool see a bid that's too good to turn down.

Ipswich or Palace have Premier League money at their fingertips and the deal for the Scotland international is surely going to be beyond Boro's budget this winter.

Frankly, it's hard to imagine the Teessiders getting involved at £15m, but knowing it's going to be north of that pretty much rules them out of any permanent move.

If things develop this month, it will leave a gaping hole on the right for Carrick's promotion hopefuls.