Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez will cost around $58 million (£45 million) this summer with Liverpool thought to be keen on the 21-year-old. But the Cherries are not interested in Caoimhin Kelleher being involved in any potential transfer agreement.
According to The Times, Bournemouth only wants a straight cash deal for Kerkez, but there is a realization that losing the player is a possibility. Center-back Dean Huijsen is set to be in high demand as well, with the Spanish defender having a release clause worth around $65 million (£50 million) written into his contract.
Kerkez will have plenty of options this summer but Kelleher, who has been linked with Bournemouth this week, wouldn’t be appealing as a makeweight in any deal. He is expected to move on in search of more regular game time.
That is not to say that something couldn’t happen involving the two players; more that it wouldn’t be a “swap” as such. Those rarely happen, especially in an era of PSR where the accounting really matters.
At 21, Kerkez looks ready for the next step in his career. He has scored two goals and provided six assists as an attacking full-back for Andoni Iraola’s team this season, making himself one of the outstanding players in the world in his position.
Bournemouth doesn’t want to lose its key players but there is an acceptance that many have moved there because it is a stepping stone. The next Kerkez might think twice about joining, for instance, if the current one is not allowed to leave for a realistic price.
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Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert are also expected to be in demand this summer. Striker Evanilson, signed to replace Dominic Solanke, might also have been had he not been injured for the majority of the campaign.
Liverpool.com says: Kelleher going to Bournemouth makes a lot of sense if the south coast club wants to upgrade on Kepa Arrizabalaga in the summer when his loan spell comes to an end. The Liverpool man is more than good enough for the job and is keen to get more regular minutes elsewhere.
As for Kerkez, left-back should be a priority for the Reds. That is an obvious place in the starting XI to upgrade with question marks over Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas. The Hungary international would inject energy into the position and would be able to come straight into the team.
