Everton might be stirring the pot in one of football’s fiercest rivalries—because reports are suggesting they’re seriously considering a move for a Liverpool player.
Yep, you read that right. The blue half of Merseyside is reportedly eyeing up a rising star from the red half.
And if this deal goes through, it could cause quite a stir among fans on both sides of the divide.
David Moyes Planning a Major Squad Rebuild
Newly appointed Everton manager David Moyes is already bracing himself for a hectic summer.
With a long list of names expected to head out the door, Moyes knows he’s got serious work to do to rebuild his squad—and fast.
As part of that overhaul, he’s got several players on his radar.
But one potential target is raising more than a few eyebrows.
Everton Reportedly Interested in Liverpool’s Ben Doak
According to The Guardian, Everton have been exploring the possibility of signing Liverpool youngster Ben Doak.
The 19-year-old Scottish forward had a decent spell on loan at Middlesbrough this season, managing to make 24 appearances and scoring three goals before an injury cut his season short in January.
His performances in the Championship didn’t go unnoticed—and now, Everton might just be considering bringing him across Stanley Park.
That would be a huge move, especially given the rivalry between the two clubs.
Liverpool Not Eager to Sell Their Rising Talent
Liverpool, for their part, aren’t exactly desperate to let Doak go.
In fact, they’ve reportedly set a price tag somewhere between £25 million and £30 million.
And while they aren’t actively shopping him around, they’re open to talks if the right offer comes in.
Doak initially signed with Liverpool from Celtic in March 2022 for just £600,000.
Since then, he’s made 10 first-team appearances for the club, and his potential has sparked interest from multiple sides—including clubs in Europe.
Could Everton Actually Afford Him?
Here’s the tricky part: it’s still uncertain whether Everton are financially in a position to splash that kind of cash.
With limited funds and a need to strengthen in multiple areas, Moyes and the board will have to think long and hard before committing to a big-money move for a player who’s still developing.
Interestingly, both Crystal Palace and Ipswich tried to land Doak in January with bids of £15 million and £16 million, respectively—but Liverpool turned both down flat. That tells you how highly they value him.
A Rare Cross-City Switch That Hasn’t Happened in Decades
If Doak were to make the move, he’d be the first Liverpool player to join Everton directly since Gary Ablett in January 1992.
Transfers between these two clubs are extremely rare, and when they do happen, they’re usually met with strong reactions from fans.
Moyes Facing a Summer of Change at Goodison Park
Moyes has already acknowledged that Everton’s squad will look very different by the time next season kicks off.
Several players—including Abdoulaye Doucoure, Ashley Young, Asmir Begovic, and Joao Virginia—are all set to leave as their contracts run out.
On top of that, five loanees are returning to their parent clubs, leaving Moyes with big holes to fill across the pitch.
Key Players Still in Contract Limbo
Everton still has tough decisions to make when it comes to some of their senior players.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Michael Keane, and Idrissa Gueye are all approaching the end of their contracts in June, and it’s unclear whether any of them will be offered extensions.
Moyes Speaks Candidly About the Massive Rebuild Ahead
Speaking honestly about the scale of the challenge, Moyes admitted he’s a bit overwhelmed by how much needs to change.
“Yeah, yeah I am,” he said. “It’s not ideal for any manager to have this much turnover at once.
But I knew this was the situation when I came in.
There’s an opportunity to make big changes—but doing it is always tougher than saying it.”
Loan Dependence Reflects Deeper Issues
Moyes also highlighted just how reliant the squad has been on temporary players: “We’ve had five loan players this season.
Most clubs maybe have one or two—but we’ve had five.
That alone tells you a lot. We don’t even hold the value of those players.”
That kind of situation leaves a club vulnerable—and reinforces why Everton needs a smart, sustainable rebuild this summer.