Leeds could have been the club to take advantage of Liverpool's ramps this summer after he has missed a signature that is now on his way to a large money movement to Anfield
Premier League nieuwkomers Leeds United could have signed Milos Kerkez before the defender for Bournemouth Koos. And that almost Miss might hurt if he prepares for an imminent transmission of £ 40 million to Liverpool.
The Hungarian left back was one of the unexpected stars of the Premier League of the 2024/25 season. Kerkez played in all 38 of the top matches of Bournemouth and recorded an impressive six assists along the way.
Now that the summer transfer window is now open, it was just a matter of time before the big clubs started to show interest. And Kerkez now looks on Anfield-bound, while he is preparing to become their last summer drawing.
Liverpool broke the British transfer record, because add-ons could see their deal with Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz, no less than £ 116 million (with £ 100 million of which guaranteed payment).
The Reds have also signed Jeremie Frimpong of Leverkusen for £ 29.5 million, and although a deal for goalkeeper Giorgi Mhaldashvili from Valencia for a first £ 25 million was beaten by £ 4 million in add-ons, it counts as a 2025 transfer in terms of Liverpool's finances. That would together take their total edition together to no less than £ 214.5 million.
There are also suggestions that Liverpool is willing to perform their interest in Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. And the English star will still control a good fee if he goes to Merseyside this summer.
Bournemouth has eliminated around £ 15.5 million to AZ Alkmaar for the services of Kerkez in 2023. However, Leeds could have been the ones who had made nearly £ 25 million profit of the sale of the 21-year-old if they acted more decisively two years ago.
Kerkez was only 19 and made waves in the Eredivisie when he first started attracting attention in England. It was then reported by Talksport (via Leeds Live) that Leeds, Leicester City and Bournemouth all compete for his signature in January 2023.
Max Wober had already been brought in to strengthen the defense of Jesse Marsch that window. And with Junior Firpo who has difficulty finding form, Kerkez was clearly identified as a talent that could be both a current and future possession.
Kerkez, however, remained in Alkmaar after that transfer window in January. And when the summer came, with leeds banned, the defender closed a deal to become a member of the cherries instead.
Former Bournemouth director Neill Blake had a lot of praise for the player at the time: “An athletics and attacking full-back, Milos will be an excellent addition to our exciting team,” and described Milos as “Milos [is] A talented young player with a lot of potential.
“He was followed by a number of clubs in Europe, but really wanted to be with us after hearing our plans and ambitions for the future.”
Now it seems that the former AC Milan prospect has been set up for a large money movement to Merseyside. And although you cannot guarantee that the player would have developed in the same way in Yorkshire, Leeds will nevertheless rue such a missed opportunity.
Recommended as the heir of Andy Robertson, the 31-year-old Scot could quickly see Kerkez filling his boots. When athletics asked him about his Liverpool tires in March, Kerkez said: “It is not as if I don't see it. If people say they don't see things when someone says something about you, I think it's a lie. It's only if it touches you or not.
“If someone says something simply, I do my job, and if someone says something good, I just do my job. That is it. As a child you dream to play at the highest level, win the trophies, to be in the best teams. These are the things that my agent is at, my father is on. We will see what is happening in the summer.”
With Liverpool, who seems to complete the signing of Kerkez, Kostas Tsimikas can be tempted to leave for new meadows. And Leeds -Manager Daniel Farke is reportedly interested in Greek to Elland Road.