Everton will face Liverpool in the Premier League next week, but the Toffees also have their sights set on one of their rivals' top young players ahead of the summer transfer window
Ben Doak has emerged as a surprise summer transfer for Everton, who are weighing up a swoop for the teenage forward after watching him impress on loan in the Championship this season with Middlesbrough.
Doak, 19, was linked with Premier League clubs including Crystal Palace in January after shining in his first senior loan away from Liverpool. And while a move to Selhurst Park didn't materialise, the winger has already proved his credentials in the second-tier, where he had three goals and seven assists to his name from 24 games before suffering a thigh injury in January.
With Liverpool already boasting plenty of forward options, it remains to be seen if Doak will be integrated into Arne Slot's first-team next season or sold.
But if Doak does have his heart set on playing regularly again, then the Scotland star should have no shortage of suitors this summer - and he could even be offered the chance to swap Anfield for Goodison Park.
That's according to The Scottish Sun, who claim David Moyes wants to add Doak to his squad next season. Whether Liverpool would do business with their bitter rivals is another matter, though.
Just a handful of players have represented both Merseyside clubs since World War II, with Conor Coady, a Reds academy graduate, among them. News of Everton's interest in Doak, who the report claims is valued at around £25million, comes just days before they meet Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.
Liverpool rejected a £15m offer from Crystal Palace for Doak in the January transfer window as the Eagles targeted attacking reinforcements. At the time it was outlined that the Reds valued the former Celtic youngster at more than £20m.
Middlesbrough could yet enter the conversation should they win promotion to the Premier League; they are in the running for the Championship play-offs and Boro head coach, Michael Carrick, has made no secret of his admiration for the young Scot.
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"He’s got that weapon and unique threat," the former Manchester United and England midfielder said back in January.
"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."
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