Leeds United were close to making a move for Milos Kerkez before the defender joined Bournemouth and set up his impending £40million move to Liverpool.
Hungarian left-back Kerkez was one of the Premier League's surprise packages this term, playing in all 38 of the Cherries' top-flight matches and registering an impressive six assists.
With the summer window open, it seemed only a matter of time before top clubs came sniffing, and reports now suggest that Kerkez is on his way to Anfield for a supposed £40m.
Bournemouth paid Kerkez's former club, AZ Alkmaar, roughly £15.5m for his services in 2023, but it could have been the Whites who raked in nearly £25m in profit had they pulled the trigger on signing the 21-year-old two years ago.
When Kerkez was just 19 and making a splash in the Eredivisie for Alkmaar, talkSPORT reported that Leeds, Leicester City and Bournemouth were all in the running to sign him come January 2023.
Max Wober had already been recruited to bolster Jesse Marsch's backline that window, and with Junior Firpo struggling for form, Kerkez was evidently singled out as a star who could be both a player for the present and future.
Alas, Kerkez stayed put in January, and when the summer rolled around, with Leeds having been relegated, the defender put pen to paper on a deal to sign for the Cherries instead.
"An athletic and attacking full-back, Milos will be an excellent addition to our exciting squad," said former Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake at the time. "Milos [is] a talented young player with a great deal of potential.
Milos Kerkez playing fro Bournemouth
Kerkez looks set to join Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)
"He was being tracked by a number of clubs in Europe but was very keen to join us after hearing about our plans and ambitions for the future."
Now, reports suggest that he is on his way to Arne Slot's reigning Premier League champions for £40m, a fee which could have been landing on Leeds' laps.
Kerkez has long been mooted as the replacement for Reds left-back Andy Robertson, who is now 31. Speaking to The Athletic in March, the defender was asked about rumours linking him to Liverpool, and his response was telling.
"It's not like I don't see it," said Kerkez. "When people say they don't see stuff if someone says something about you, I think it's a lie. It's only if it hits you or not.
"If someone says something bad, I do my job, and if someone says something good, I just do my job. That's it. As a kid, you dream to play at the highest level, win the trophies, be on the best teams. These are the things that my agent is on, my dad is on. In the summer, we will see what happens."
With Kerkez looking nailed on to join Liverpool, the door could be left ajar for Greek international Kostas Tsimikas to make a switch to Elland Road, as he has emerged as a target for Daniel Farke's side.