Two Liverpool players set for Deadline Day transfers as stance on Ben Doak sale confirmed
The latest on Jayden Danns, Kaide Gordon and Ben Doak as Liverpool get set for a potential busy transfer deadline day
Liverpool winger Kaide Gordon is closing on a transfer deadline day loan move to Portsmouth as Sunderland lead the chase to take Jayden Danns for the rest of the season. And the Reds are not entertaining any offers for Ben Doak and expect him to remain at Middlesbrough for the remainder of the Championship campaign.
Gordon moved to Norwich City on transfer deadline day back in August but struggled to break into the first-team fold at Carrow Road, starting just one match before he returned to his parent club earlier this month.
The ECHO reported in mid-December that Gordon was likely to head back to Merseyside following a difficult first half of the term and after talks between the club took place around the turn of the year, it was agreed that the former Derby County youngster would return to Liverpool to find another club.
After assessing proposals throughout January, it has now been decided that Portsmouth are the best fit for Gordon to kick-start his senior career, over three years after he became the youngest player to score in the FA Cup for the Reds with an equaliser against Shrewsbury Town in a 4-1 win at the age of 17 and 96 days.
Gordon also started a Carabao Cup semi-final win over Arsenal that same month back in January 2022 but has since seen progress halted dramatically by injuries. A pelvic issue that was related to his growth left him sidelined for around 18 months.
Danns is another who is heading for the exit door with Sunderland at the front of the queue to secure his services on a loan deal.
The Liverpool-born striker has made four appearances for Arne Slot's Reds this term, including his Champions League debut in the 3-2 defeat for a much-changed side at PSV Eindhoven last week and the head coach admitted he was unclear what the short-term future held for the striker after seeing him score in a 4-0 win over Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup on January 11.
However, after a meeting with sporting director Richard Hughes to talk through plans for a number of the club's youngsters, it has now been decided that the Premier League leaders have sufficient cover up front, meaning Danns can go out on loan.
Sunderland have made the most compelling case and the Under-21s striker is edging near to a move to the North East for the rest of the Championship season as the Black Cats continue their charge for promotion back to the Premier League.
Liverpool are not expecting any late moves for Doak after interest from Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace emerged earlier this month. The Reds turned down an offer of around £16m from Ipswich earlier in the window, while Palace were also said to be keeping tabs on developments.
A figure of £30m has been mooted as the potential price point for Doak but Liverpool are relaxed about the Scotland international's situation and are happy for him to continue his development on loan at Boro, where they feel he has developed into one of the most exciting players in the Championship.