Liverpool are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed an excellent season with the Cherries, chipping in with two goals and five assists in 29 Premier League games for a side who currently sit 10th in the table but only five points behind the Champions League places.
Kerkez has been one of Bournemouth's standout performers since the arrival of head coach Andoni Iraola and has subsequently caught the eye of several top European clubs.
Although Kerkez is under contract at the Vitality Stadium until June 2028, the Hungary international is allegedly expected to leave Bournemouth this summer.
Both Manchester United and Real Madrid have been credited with an interest in Kerkez, but it appears that Liverpool may have moved to the front of the queue for his signature.
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Liverpool step up pursuit of in-demand Kerkez
According to i news, Premier League champions-elect Liverpool have stepped up their search for squad reinforcements ahead of the summer and have made initial contact with Bournemouth over a deal for Kerkez.
The report adds that the Reds are yet to table a bid for Kerkez, but competition for his signature has caused Arne Slot's side to 'speed up the process'.
As well as Man United and Real Madrid, both Manchester City and Arsenal are said to have expressed an interest in Kerkez, but the left-back is understood to favour a move to Liverpool over the other options.
Should Kerkez make the move to Anfield, he would reunite with former Bournemouth chief Richard Hughes, who is now the director of football at Liverpool and was the man who brought the left-back to England from AZ Alkmaar in 2023.
In January, Kerkez decided to switch agents and link up with Fali Ramadani, who has previously worked extensively with Liverpool and oversaw Federico Chiesa's transfer to Anfield last summer.
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Liverpool move for Kerkez after missing out on Davies, Mendes
It is claimed that Bournemouth will demand a fee of at least £40m for Kerkez, who has been identified by Liverpool as a long-term replacement for 30-year-old Andrew Robertson.
Bournemouth's No.3 was one of three names added to Liverpool's left-back shortlist which also included Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies and Paris Saint-Germain's Nuno Mendes.
Davies and Mendes were regarded as top targets by Liverpool, but they have both recently extended their contracts at their respective clubs, and this has subsequently led to the Reds stepping up their pursuit of Kerkez.
Ajax's teenage starlet Jorrel Hato is another player thought to be on Slot's radar, but Kerkez is now seemingly Liverpool's preferred left-back target ahead of the new season, with Slot said to have approved a move for the in-demand star.
The potential arrival of Kerkez may cast doubts over the futures of both Robertson and fellow left-back Kostas Tsimikas, who has been tipped to depart this summer.
Oliver Thomas
