Liverpool has reportedly made its move for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez as Arne Slot looks to get business done early in the transfer market.
The Premier League champions are closing in on the acquisition of Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong, who underwent the first part of his medical on Sunday. It’s expected the young right-sided player will sign in the coming days and become the first signing of the summer.
But Liverpool isn’t done there, and is set to step up its move for a left-back imminently. According to transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool has approached Bournemouth over a move for Kerkez, who has hinted at a move in the last few days.
Kerkez has long been considered Liverpool’s top target ahead of the summer transfer window, with Slot eager to upgrade Andy Robertson.
Greek star Kostas Tsimikas appears set to depart Anfield, having failed to really crack through into the first team since his arrival in 2020.
Should Kerkez arrive, Tsimikas would essentially become third-choice left-back, and it’s been reported newly-promoted Leeds United is interested.
For his part, Kerkez is reportedly eager to make the move to Anfield, having inadvertently flirted with Reds fans throughout the season after posing with Dominic Szoboszlai on multiple occasions.
(Image: Getty Images)
He also ‘liked’ a post on social media linking him with a move to Anfield, as a move now appears to be the worst-kept secret in the transfer window. Personal terms aren’t said to be an issue, with the clubs now left to negotiate the transfer fee.
Liverpool is expected to spend big this summer, and is set to spend $39.8 million on Frimpong in the coming days. It’s been reported that Bournemouth wants $60 million for Kerkez, who has enjoyed a breakout year on the south coast.
Reds boss Slot has been relatively quiet when asked about transfers, and insisted he won’t name any specific players until deals are done.
“I think again it’s going to be a boring answer,” he said. “So, for the whole season, it was about the contracts of three players and now we are arriving in a time where everybody wants to know which players we are going to bring in!
“The answer is going to be the same. We don’t talk about the players we want to bring in in public until the moment they have signed for us, and then you can ask me everything about them.”
Liverpool.com says: It’s great that Liverpool is getting its business done early. After the last Premier League title win back in 2020, many feel the Reds failed to adequately strengthen, with Thiago Alcantara arguably the only upgrade to the team.
Signing Frimpong and Kerkez is a huge statement of intent for Slot, who is quietly building a team capable of defending the Premier League title next year.
