Milos Kerkez to Liverpool transfer one step away as defender deal gets green light

Milos Kerkez to Liverpool transfer one step away as defender deal gets green light

Milos Kerkez is closing in on a move to Liverpool, with the Hungarian set to challenge Andy Robertson at left-back, with Bournemouth now ready to let him depart

Milos Kerkez is closing in on a move to Liverpool (Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images )

Liverpool are trying to finalise a deal for Bournemouth full-back Milos Kerkez. But the Cherries are still demanding £45m for the Hungary left-back as talks continue between the club.

The Reds have yet to submit an official bid but will do so when they feel they can strike an agreement. That is getting closer and discussions will continue this week with confidence growing that the player will end up at Liverpool.

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There will need to be a compromise on the fee. Boss Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes have earmarked the left-back as their priority in the position they want to strengthen this summer.

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Hughes originally signed Kerkez for the Cherries from AZ Alkmaar in 2023 when he was at the Vitality Stadium. Kerkez, 21, was a standout performer for Bournemouth last season.

The player is keen to make the move and personal terms won’t be an issue should the clubs agree a fee. The Cherries are not willing to sell below their valuation as they have already lost defender Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid.

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They are also bracing for a bid from Paris Saint-Germain for centre-back Ilya Zabarnyi. According to FootMercato, the South Coast side have identified their preferred target to replace Kerkez.

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That man is understood to be Stade Rennais star Adrien Truffert, who is being 'highly courted' by the Cherries. He featured in 33 games for Rennais last season as they finished 12th in Ligue 1.

The French side rejected an initial offer for the 23-year-old on Tuesday, but Bournemouth are ready to return with an improved offer. With the Cherries closing in on a replacement for Kerkez, it puts the Hungarian a step closer to Anfield.

Bournemouth have identified Adrien Truffert as their preferred replacement for Kerkez (Image: Marc Atkins )

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Liverpool are in the midst of a busy summer window having already confirmed the signing of versatile right-back Jeremie Frimpong in a £29m deal from Bayer Leverkusen. While talks are ongoing with the Bundesliga club after a bid of £109m in for the Germany midfield star Florian Wirtz in what would be a record transfer.

There is expected to be another signing in attack with a striker on the list of wanted players this summer while there could be significant exits. Yet the Reds have no intention of selling Luis Diaz this summer.

They are yet to receive any contact from clubs looking to sign the Colombia international. Diaz, 28, has just two years left on his current contract at the club and has been subject to numerous links this summer about a move away.

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Saudi Pro League sides Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal have both been linked with him as well as Spanish giants Barcelona. But Liverpool are confused by the noise around the player’s future as they have had no contact about his availability.

He is an important player under boss Arne Slot and scored 17 goals last season in all competitions as the Reds won the Premier League title. But there are also no plans to open contract talks yet with Diaz.

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