Liverpool are expected to be far busier this summer than they were in Arne Slot’s first window in charge but a Chelsea swoop could end up having a knock-on effect
Liverpool could be frustrated by Chelsea as they aim to complete a move for Milos Kerkez, it has been claimed. The Bournemouth left-back is high on the Reds’ list, but his current club are bracing themselves for interest in a number of players.
Andoni Iraola’s side have caught the eye this season during an unexpected European push. Centre-back Dean Huijsen is a target for Real Madrid, along with a number of Premier League sides, while Kerkez and forward Antoine Semenyo have plenty of admirers.
Chelsea are among the clubs linked with Semenyo, who has seven goals and four assists in the league this term. Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has called for the club to push for the Ghana international themselves if Mohamed Salah leaves in the summer, but their priorities lie elsewhere,
According to The Athletic, Kerkez is top of Liverpool’s list, with left-back a bigger priority than right-back despite Trent Alexander-Arnold’s impending move to Real Madrid. Bournemouth are unlikely to let three of their biggest stars leave in one window, though.
The same publication suggests ‘it’s not guaranteed’ Kerkez would leave if Huijsen and Semenyo both move on. While Huijsen has a £50million release clause, Semenyo is not expected to be available for less than the £65million the Cherries received for Dominic Solanke last summer.
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Liverpool remain 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League with nine matches remaining, but questions remain over their summer business. Alexander-Arnold is expected to be a Real Madrid player next term, but Virgil van Dijk adn Mohamed Salah could yet sign new deals.
There is also uncertainty over the future of Darwin Nunez and Jarell Quansah. Newcastle are fans of centre-back Quansah, with The Times reporting they could test Liverpool’s resolve with a bid in the region of £30m.
Premier League clubs will have an additional window to buy and sell players this summer, owing to the expanded Club World Cup. The 20 sides have approved splitting the traditional summer window in two, with the first part running from June 1-10.
This will allow Club World Cup competitors to make additions ahead of the tournament, which starts in mid-June. Chelsea and Manchester City are the Premier League’s two representatives in the United States, while other clubs may face interest in their squad members from other competing clubs.
The news could see Real Madrid pay to sign Alexander-Arnold before his Liverpool contract expires on June 30. Liverpool aren’t the only Premier League club who find themselves in such a situation, with Arsenal midfielder Jorginho – a target for Flamengo – also out of contract at the end of June.
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