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As Liverpool continues their dominant Premier League campaign under Arne Slot, the club’s recruitment team is already laying groundwork for summer reinforcements, with Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez emerging as their primary defensive target.
Multiple reports indicate discussions have reached an advanced stage, with a crucial meeting regarding the Hungarian international’s future scheduled for next week during international duty.
The 21-year-old defender is set to meet with his inner circle in Budapest during the upcoming international break to discuss his future.
Sporting director Richard Hughes holds a unique advantage in negotiations, having previously signed Kerkez for Bournemouth during his tenure as technical director at the south coast club.
Liverpool’s pursuit of Kerkez reflects growing recognition that the left-back position requires reinforcement.
With current first-choice Andy Robertson now 31 years old, the club has identified the left defensive flank as a priority area for improvement.
While Robertson remains a respected figure at Anfield, concerns have emerged about his ability to maintain the high-intensity performances that Liverpool’s system demands.
Current backup Kostas Tsimikas is also not seen as a long-term replacement for the Scot and is nearing 30 himself.
Fabrizio Romano has already confirmed that the Reds are ‘in contact’ for the Hungarian international.
Now AFC Bournemouth owner Bill Foley has spoken on his sides’ transfer policy ahead of a summer transfer window where the Cherries may get raided for their best talents – including Milos Kerkez.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Foley admitted that he would not stop any player from pursuing their dreams of playing at ‘bigger club’ with all due respect to Bournemouth:
“We have a lot of our players under long-term contracts and most do not have a release clause,” he began.
“We never stand in the way of a player in the event they have an opportunity they feel is a better opportunity, but we’re trying to make sure we have a team and an environment that attracts good young players.”
“We are opening our new training facility in April and the players are moving in before the end of the month, and the academy will move over probably in late April or early May.”
“That’s a big first step, and this is a serious facility.
Our players have already seen it, they’ve already toured it, with an indoor pitch and we will have four outdoor pitches.”
He added that the Cherries will look to continue to attract the best young talent and try and keep them at the club:
“My job is to really make sure we have an environment that attracts good players and is a situation where those players want to stay and don’t want to move on.
We can compete salary wise with just about anybody and we need to have the right facilities and the same is true for Andoni [Iraola, head coach] because he’s being a priority for us.”
Financial parameters for any potential deal are becoming clearer, with Bournemouth expected to demand approximately £40 million for their prized asset?
This represents nearly triple the £15 million fee the Cherries paid AZ Alkmaar for their Milos Kerkez transfer less than two years ago.
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