Bournemouth ‘name price for Liverpool target Milos Kerkez’ as Reds line up summer swoop in bid to beat rivals to full back’s signature

Bournemouth have placed a £45million price tag on Milos Kerkez with Liverpool at the front of the queue for his signature, according to reports.

Kerkez, 21, has impressed during his second full campaign at Vitality Stadium and is increasingly likely to move on at the end of the season with several clubs in the race.

Both the Reds and Manchester United have placed the full back, who has recorded seven goal involvements including five assists this term, on their shortlist.

But it is Liverpool who currently hold an advantage over their rivals, although they are likely to have to splash out around £45m to secure their target.

Indeed, The Times claim that is the exact figure Bournemouth value Kerkez at despite him having three years left on his contract come the end of June. The same outlet add that the Cherries want a cash deal and would not entertain a makeweight.

Kerkez was snapped up from AZ Alkmaar for a fee of around £15m two years ago by former Bournemouth technical director Richard Hughes, now the sporting director at Liverpool, and he is likely to again prove influential in any deal this summer.

Marauding left back Kerkez is wanted by several Premier League clubs this summer

Arne Slot appears likely to get his man despite Manchester United also monitoring Kerkez

Bournemouth are relucant to sell their prized assets but there is an awareness at the club that they may have little choice in the matter. Chairman Bill Foley, the American billionaire, has suggested he would not stand in their way if they choose to leave.

Young centre back Dean Huijsen has attracted interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea during his first campaign on the south coast and the £50m release clause written into his contract means he is all but certain to move on this summer.

Both Huijsen and Kerkez missed out on Bournemouth’s 2-1 defeat by Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday through suspension.

Kerkez, who represents Hungary at international level despite being born in Serbia, began his youth career at AC Milan before joining AZ in January 2022. 

Speaking in a recent interview with The Athletic, the defender appeared to hand his long-term admirers a boost by admitting he dreams of playing for an elite club.

‘As a kid, you dream to play at the highest level, win the trophies, be on the best teams,’ he said. ‘These are the things that my agent is on. My dad is on. 

‘It is not something that they occupy me with because the season is still going, so there’s no point to talk about anything.

‘There’s games left, the FA Cup is important for us – these are big things. 

‘And then, like I say, when someone comes you never know what’s going to happen or where you’re going to end up. In the summer, we will see what happens.’