Manchester City are set to trigger a major transfer battle with Liverpool for Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez with both sides in need of an upgrade at left-back.
With Kostas Tsimikas expected to leave the club this summer, Arne Slot hopes to add Kerkez to his squad to compete with Andy Robertson for the starting role.
Liverpool won the Premier League this season for the first time in five years and for the 20th time overall – equalling Manchester United’s record – but they did so with a very leaky defence.
While the levels have understandably slipped since winning the title with players and staff travelling abroad on holiday between games but conceding 40 goals is not a marker for future success in the Premier League title race.
Arsenal and Manchester City will certainly improve over the summer with City already spending £200m in the winter transfer window, adding the likes of Omar Marmoush to their ranks.
Now, they want to sign Kerkez.
Manchester City setting up crucial transfer battle for Milos Kerkez but Liverpool might already have the initiative
According to iNews journalist Mark Douglas, Manchester City want Milos Kerkez as a £45million battle for the Hungarian is set up.
The report notes that Liverpool are the long-standing “frontrunners” to sign the 21-year-old and interestingly notes that “the Hungary international, who is viewed as a potential successor to the experienced Andy Robertson.”
I assume this is meant in the long term and not this summer as the consensus in the media so far has been that Tsimikas will be the one to lose his place at the club this summer.
It’s a bit of a harsh one as Tsimikas and Robertson have been equally poor this seaosn.
Either way, Man City “have made enquiries and are now viewed as genuine rivals for his signature.”
Liverpool and Slot have been in close contact with Bournemouth and Kerkez. According to Douglas, “The 21-year-old is high on Arne Slot’s wishlist and there have been a string of talks between the club and the player’s representatives in recent weeks.
“And while Kerkez is certainly interested in moving to Anfield, it is understood that Liverpool are yet to table an official bid for him.”
?? Milos #Kerkez is currently the top priority for FC Liverpool at left-back. Confirmed again.
The player has been analysed in detail and is ready to make a move in the summer. #LFC optimistic. Deal on. @SkySportDE ?? pic.twitter.com/1iJPmrlUdu
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 21, 2025
Liverpool would have to embarrass themselves to lose out on Kerkez at this point.
The Hungarian has been flirting with the Reds for months and with his compatriot and international team captain, Dominik Szoboszlai, at Anfield, he has everything he needs to make a smooth transition to life at Liverpool.