Liverpool move one step closer to Milos Kerkez deal

Liverpool are a step closer to signing Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth. The left-back could be on his way.

Is it now only a matter of time? Liverpool want a new left-back this summer and Milos Kerkez is the most consistently linked.

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Anfield Watch reported back in November that initial talks had taken place, with everything escalating from there. Kerkez is right at the top of Liverpool’s shortlist and may well be the Reds’ long-term option.

It’s easy to see why. The Hungarian international has been fantastic for Bournemouth this season, proving himself to be a real attacking force from full-back.

That’s what Liverpool are after, certainly. Someone who can pick up the baton from Andy Robertson to give the drive, energy and creativity he’s offered for the last eight years.

We do think Kerkez has that in him, even if he’s still pretty raw at 21. His potential is clearly fantastic, though, and Liverpool will rightly view him as the option with the highest ceiling.

The problem is that they haven’t been alone in that. Real Madrid are also strongly linked with Kerkez as they look to fix their own left-back problems.

Sky Sports are among those linking Real Madrid with Kerkez. That’s a problem for Liverpool, who know as well as anyone how easily players can turn their head towards the Santiago Bernabeu.

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Real Madrid move on

It appears, however, that Real Madrid are moving on from Kerkez. AS claims they’re now focusing on Benfica star Alvaro Carreras - and with a creative deal to get him.

Carreras has a €60m release clause in his Benfica contract but Manchester United, who sold him to Portugal, carry a clause to sign him back for €18m. Real Madrid want to convince United to do just that, with a promise that they’d then dish out at least €30m to buy him.

Everyone wins! Except Benfica, of course.

For Liverpool, who have also been linked with Carreras, this will come as good news. It’s Real Madrid focusing their attention elsewhere and it’ll either mean they never move for Kerkez or they’re simply showing him that they’re not prioritising a move.

Either way, Liverpool will feel more confident about getting a deal over the line. Now just two road blocks remain.

The first is Manchester City, another giant hoping to find a left-back. The same Sky Sports report mentions them as a destination for Kerkez.

But there’s also Bournemouth’s asking price. The Cherries want £45m for their left-back and that’s an enormous price for a full-back. It may be more than Liverpool are ultimately willing to pay.

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At the very least, the Reds will want to negotiate that figure down. No one should expect a quick deal, in other words - even with Real Madrid seemingly bowing out of the race.