Bournemouth -defender Milos Kerkez is high on Liverpool's summer transfer goals, but they look like an obstacle in their pursuit of the Hungarian star
Liverpool remains determined to bring Milos Kerkez to Anfield this summer, but the deal has closed a stumbling block with the news that Manchester City also the Hungarian will. And it is far from the first time that the Premier League champions have found City in the way of a deal.
Kerkez is one of a number of full-backs on the radar on the side of Arne Slot, who are also looking for the right flank. Jeremie Frimpong is about to move to Anfield for just shy of £ 30 million, but the efforts of Liverpool on the left may have to be increased.
The asking price should not be the biggest obstacle, with Bournemouth after about £ 45 million for the Hungarian International. He was able to join Dean Huijsen when leaving the Vitality Stadium this summer, with the middle back that had agreed a £ 50 million Real Madrid switch.
The biggest problem can be the interest shown by the city. According to the I, the side of Pep Guardiola are ready to move for a specialist left back after using a variety of players in the role of this term, with Kerkez who is reportedly high on their list.
Liverpool may have a small advantage through the presence of Richard Hughes, where the sports director brought from the Reds Kerkez to Bournemouth of AZ during his own enchantment on the south coast. It is just one of the at least two Liverpool vs Man City Transfer Battles this summer, but one of the others may lead to none of the parties win.
Bayer Leverkusen -star Florian Wirtz has emerged as a city goal when they prepare to lose Kevin De Bruyne. The long -term playmaker De Bruyne will leave when his contract ends this summer, with the new sports director Hugo Viana who is responsible for identifying a successor.
Liverpool is also enthusiastic about the German international, who probably has a fee north of £ 100 million. However, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have not given up either, and Wirtz's reported preference to stay in Germany can be good news for Bayern.
Kerkez gets the chance to show City what he can offer when he and his Bournemouth teammates go to Etihad Stadium on Tuesday evening. City is haunting a reaction after losing the FA Cup final, while Bournemouth has to win to keep their slim hope for European qualification alive.
Bournemouth will be without Alex Scott for the game after the midfielder has undergone surgery on a broken jaw, while Luis Sinisterra, Enes Ünal, Ryan Christie and Dango Ouattara are not available either. “He certainly can't play tomorrow, probably thinking in the [Under-21] Euro, he would have a chance with a mask and he is positive, “said manager Andoni Iraola when he was asked about the recovery of Scott.