Bournemouth star Justin Kluivert has admitted he expects Milos Kerkez to join Liverpool this summer as speculation continues over the left-back.
The Reds are expected to step up their efforts to sign Kerkez soon, with a deal for Florian Wirtz looking as though it is on the verge of completion. The Hungarian has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield for some time now, with the latest reports suggesting a deal could be concluded quickly after the Wirtz signing.
Bournemouth already looks to have identified a replacement for Kerkez, with the Cherries looking set to sign Rennes’ Adrien Truffert, effectively giving Liverpool the green light to make its move.
And it seems Kerkez’s teammates already know what the future holds for him, with Kluivert having addressed his potential move to Anfield when speaking to VoetbalPrimeur after the Netherlands’ 8-0 win over Malta on Tuesday.
"He'll probably go there,” Kluivert admitted. “I hope so for him. He hasn't really said goodbye yet, but I hope he'll make it happen there."
Speculation over Kerkez’s future has been growing of late after he withdrew from international duty with Hungary early amid reports his representatives were due to meet with Liverpool.
Milos Kerkez of Bournemouth after his sides 2-0 win
Liverpool is expected to step up its efforts to sign Milos Kerkez (Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Indeed, Sky Sports reported on Tuesday that the Reds had made contact with Bournemouth as they look to get a deal underway, with personal terms with the player not expected to be a problem.
Kerkez recently addressed his own future, and insisted that he isn’t getting too far ahead of himself despite the links with Liverpool.
"Of course, something always leaks into the news, I don't know how,” Kerkez told MLSZ TV.
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“At the same time, I think it's normal that if you play well and the team does well, then you get into the news and end up on the front page, and everyone talks about you.
“I see this as fuel that drives me forward. All this doesn't break me, but it doesn't 'boost' my ego either, but it teaches me humility and motivates me.”
Liverpool.com says: It does feel inevitable that Kerkez will be the next signing made by Liverpool after Wirtz, and all the noise coming out of Bournemouth seems to confirm that he will be on the move.
It’s a signing that makes perfect sense for the Reds, and with him, Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong on board, Arne Slot will have a seriously impressive team on his hands for next season.