Report: Bournemouth make transfer decision on Ben Doak after claims Liverpool want their 'brilliant' player

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The January transfer window is now open and it remains to be seen if Liverpool add to their squad this month.

Over the years, the Reds haven’t refrained from signing players in January, with Virgil van Dijk, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo all joining the club midway through the season.

In recent weeks, Liverpool were linked with a move for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but the Georgian is on his way to PSG as he prepares to leave Napoli after a fantastic spell with the club.

Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo also has keen admirers at Anfield, which is a sign that Liverpool are actually looking to bolster their ranks up front.

And now, Bournemouth’s transfer stance on their prized asset has emerged amid suggestions that Liverpool youngster Ben Doak could travel in the opposite direction as a sweetener in the deal.

Bournemouth don’t want Ben Doak in swap deal for Liverpool target Antoine Semenyo

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Semenyo has steadily improved in recent months and has established himself as a key player for the Cherries under Andoni Iraola.

Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez has also been linked with a move to Liverpool and with Richard Hughes quite aware of the two players during his stint with the South Coast club, it remains to be seen if the Reds press ahead with their interest.

As for Doak, he has enjoyed a fantastic loan spell with Middlesbrough and has quickly become one of the most exciting players in the Championship.

Earlier this month, Crystal Palace had a bid rejected for Doak, while it has also been reported that Ipswich Town are interested in signing him.

And now, a report from The i states that Bournemouth have no intention of taking Doak in a swap deal for Semenyo, so the Reds will have to work out another arrangement if they want to sign the exciting forward.

Due to their keen interest in both Semenyo and Kerkez, Liverpool will keep a close eye on Bournemouth between now and the end of the season to see how the two players fare.

Semenyo an intriguing option for Liverpool

After representing a bunch of clubs in the lower tiers of English football, Semenyo earned himself a move to Bournemouth last summer, which happened when Hughes was the club’s sporting director.

He scored eight Premier League goals last season, but in the current campaign, he has taken his game to another level under Iraola.

Semenyo already has seven goals across all competitions and looks set to comfortably improve his tally from 2023-24, which is a sign that he’s on an upward trajectory.

Michael Owen feels Liverpool should launch a move for the ‘brilliant’ Semenyo and it’s hard to argue with him as the 25-year-old would add something different to the Reds’ existing options.

As for Doak, he is doing quite well at Boro, so Liverpool should let him continue there for the rest of the season and decide what to do with him in the summer as opposed to rushing into a decision in January.

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