Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez is high on Liverpool’s list of summer transfer targets but they look like facing an obstacle in their pursuit of the Hungarian star
Liverpool remain determined to bring Milos Kerkez to Anfield this summer, but the deal has hit a stumbling block with the news Manchester City also want the Hungarian. And it’s far from the first time the Premier League champions have found City standing in the way of a deal.
Kerkez is one of a number of full-backs on the radar of Arne Slot’s side, who are also looking to strengthen on the right flank. Jeremie Frimpong is on the verge of moving to Anfield for just shy of £30million, but Liverpool’s efforts down the left may need to be stepped up.
The asking price ought not be the biggest obstacle, with Bournemouth after around £45million for the Hungarian international. He could join Dean Huijsen in leaving the Vitality Stadium this summer, with the centre-back having agreed a £50m Real Madrid switch.
The biggest issue may be the interest shown by City. According to the i, Pep Guardiola’s side are ready to move for a specialist left-back after using a variety of players in the role this term, with Kerkez said to be high on their list.
Liverpool might have a slight advantage via the presence of Richard Hughes, with the Reds’ sporting director having brought Kerkez to Bournemouth from AZ during his own spell on the south coast. It’s just one of at least two Liverpool vs Man City transfer battles this summer, but one of the others might well result in neither side winning.
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Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz has emerged as a City target as they prepare to lose Kevin De Bruyne. Long-serving playmaker De Bruyne will leave when his contract expires this summer, with new sporting director Hugo Viana tasked with identifying a successor.
Liverpool are also keen on the German international, who is likely to command a fee north of £100m. Bayern Munich and Real Madrid haven’t given up either, though, and Wirtz’s reported preference to stay in Germany could be good news for Bayern.
Kerkez will have a chance to show City what he can offer when he and his Bournemouth team-mates head to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night. City are chasing a response after losing the FA Cup final, while Bournemouth need to win to keep alive their slim hopes of European qualification.
Bournemouth will be without Alex Scott for the match after the midfielder underwent surgery on a broken jaw, while Luis Sinisterra, Enes Ünal, Ryan Christie and Dango Ouattara are also unavailable. “He definitely cannot play tomorrow, probably thinking in the [Under-21] Euros, he would have a chance with a mask and he is positive,” manager Andoni Iraola said when asked about Scott’s recovery.
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