Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick insists Blues and Crystal Palace target Ben Doak remains focused on playing for the Teessiders despite the speculation regarding his future.

Doak, 19, was the subject of a rebuffed £16 million bid from the Blues a week ago with the Eagles having had an earlier £15 million offer similarly knocked back by the Scotland international forward’s parent club Liverpool.

Both clubs are understood to be maintaining their interest with Brentford and Fulham also having been linked. The Merseysiders are claimed to want a fee of between £25 and £30 million for the forward, who has made 18 starts and three sub appearances for Boro since joining them on loan in the summer, scoring twice.

“He's absolutely fine, no problem, no difference,” Carrick, a close friend of Town boss Kieran McKenna from their time working together at Manchester United, said at his pre-match press conference.

“He just gets on with his work as he has from day one. It suits him here. It's a good place to be, he's enjoying his football, he's learning, developing, having a great experience. I've got nothing but positive things to say about Ben.”

Quizzed on whether Doak would prefer to stay on Teesside until the end of the season or move elsewhere, Carrick added: “It's difficult for me to answer that. It certainly suits him in many ways.

“There's no denying some of it is out of our hands but I'm really calm and content. Hopefully it plays out and we're all happy and we still have Ben. We're in a good place and it's a good place for him.”

Born in Dairy in North Ayrshire, Doak was a youth player with Ayr United and Celtic and made two senior sub appearances for the Glasgow side before moving on to Liverpool aged 16 in March 2022 for training compensation of £600,000.

Since making that move, Doak, who primarily plays on the right, has made four starts - all in cups - and six sub appearances - three in the Premier League - for the Reds.

Doak has won six full Scotland caps in addition to appearances at U16, U17 and U21 levels.

Town are looking for three forward players this summer, a number nine and two forwards for the roles behind the main striker with Aston Villa’s Jaden Philogene’s £20 million-plus-add-ons move close to being confirmed.

Photo: MI News via Reuters Connect

Suffolkboy added 11:40 - Jan 10 Obviously talented ,soundly recommended as a person and professional ,he’d prove an ideal addition at Portman Rd and prosper under wonderful coaching and Management ! COYB
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Bazza8564 added 11:58 - Jan 10 Young, talented and will have a keen eye on how Kieran has developed Liam Delap in 6 months. If we have the money, this would appear to be a good target and it's a good place for the lad to come
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Gforce added 12:15 - Jan 10 This lad has a tremendous future and would make an excellent additions Obviously he's another one at a very young age,with Keiran looking to build a strong squad for many years to come. The bottom line is ,are the Town or Palace willing to pay upwards of 25 million.
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dirtydingusmagee added 12:23 - Jan 10 Would be a great signing, Ashton will do it if anyone can im sure .Coyb
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BeattiesBackPocket added 12:37 - Jan 10 Not really sure he’s a necessity right now over striker. Before Philogene came in I’d have said yes but 25 million for someone who’s only just started playing men’s football is a lot! I’d gladly go again in the summer but think right now a striker is essential for back up and to challenge Delap
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Help added 12:50 - Jan 10 We know mark won't pay more than £20m allegedly for any player.
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grinch added 12:57 - Jan 10 @ Help we have just exceeded 20 million for a player ?
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BobbyBell added 13:24 - Jan 10 The Philogene confirmation is taking some time following yesterday's medical. Is Doak lined up as another option in case Philogene failed the medical?
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Mariner1974 added 13:31 - Jan 10 You'd think that the lad being from Dairy in North Ayrshire, would chose us over other teams given the chance. ITFC & Kieron McKenna are the Cream of the crop....
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BerksBlue15 added 13:45 - Jan 10 Doak being lined up in case Philogene agrees terms and then signs somewhere else, again...
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Rozeeboy74 added 14:23 - Jan 10 I understand he is young and there is bags of potential, but 2 goals in 18(3) at Championship level can't really justify a £30m price tag, can it? That makes Delap worth £50m.
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dirtydingusmagee added 14:27 - Jan 10 Nothing confirmed on eithers status at present , we will just have to keep nibbling away at our fingernails for few days .
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Billysherlockblue added 14:27 - Jan 10 Is jaden phil. Our player yet?
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TractorfactorSteve added 14:34 - Jan 10 Mariner1984, It's Dalry.
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Lion added 15:06 - Jan 10 Rozee, Delap is worth 50 million though
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Linkboy13 added 17:15 - Jan 10 Would prefer this lad over Philogene has played for Liverpool and not looked out of place and is physically stronger than Philogene who for me is another Jack Clarke to lightweight Villa seem desperate to get rid of him.
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dirtydingusmagee added 17:39 - Jan 10 Inclined to go with Doak too Linkboy ,Philogene thing seems to be wishy washy again.
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