Liverpool is keen to secure the services of Milos Kerkez this summer, but its plans have hit a snag with Manchester City also expressing interest in the Premier League star.
This isn’t the first time that the Reds have found themselves competing with City for a player. Kerkez is among several full-backs being considered by Arne Slot, Richard Hughes, and co., who are also looking to bolster their right flank.
Jeremie Frimpong is close to making a move to Anfield – with Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving Merseyside after making a “child-like” gesture after the loss to Brighton – but Liverpool may need to ramp up its efforts on the left side. Benjamin Sesko is also being linked with the Reds and is reportedly keen on the move.
Kerkez’s price tag shouldn’t be the main hurdle, as Bournemouth is reportedly asking for around £45 million ($60.3 million) for the Hungarian international. He could follow Dean Huijsen out of the Vitality Stadium this summer, with the center-back having agreed a switch to Real Madrid.
The primary concern might be the interest from City. As per The i Paper, City is prepared to make a move for a specialist left-back after utilising various players in that position this season, and Kerkez is said to be high on the Manchester club’s list.
Liverpool may have a slight edge due to Hughes, the club’s sporting director, who brought Kerkez to Bournemouth from AZ during his own tenure on the south coast. It’s just one of at least two Liverpool vs. City transfer battles this summer, but one of the others might end with neither side coming out on top.
(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz has caught the eye of City as it braces itself for the departure of Kevin De Bruyne, although the Manchester club isn’t expected to make a move for him. De Bruyne is set to exit when his contract concludes this summer, leaving new sporting director Hugo Viana with the task of finding a replacement.
Liverpool has also expressed interest in the German international. Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are still in the running, however. Wirtz’s alleged preference to remain in Germany could be a boon for Bayern.
Kerkez will get an opportunity to demonstrate his skills to City when he and his Bournemouth colleagues visit the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday. City is seeking redemption after its FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace, while Bournemouth must secure a victory to maintain its faint hopes of qualifying for Europe.
Bournemouth will be missing Alex Scott for the match following the midfielder’s jaw surgery, while Luis Sinisterra, Enes Unal, Ryan Christie and Dango Ouattara are also ruled out. “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 commented regarding Scott’s recovery.
