Hungary left-back Milos Kerkez has departed his country's training camp for "private reasons" amid increased speculation surrounding a potential transfer move to Liverpool.
Kerkez, 21, who previously played for AZ Alkmaar, sat out Hungary's 2-0 home defeat against Sweden on Friday. Marco Rossi's side is set to take on Azerbaijan in Baku on Tuesday, but Kerkez won't be involved, the Hungarian outlet MLSZ reports.
Bournemouth values Kerkez at as much as $60 million (£45 million). It is under no pressure to cash in on the player given it has already sold Dean Huijsen, the Spanish center-back, to Real Madrid for a similar fee.
Ahead of Hungary facing Sweden, head coach Rossi was vague in terms of Kerkez's absence.
"Milos Kerkez and Barnabas Varga will not be on the pitch on Friday due to various problems," he said. "The Swedes are physically strong, they have several top-league footballers, and they look for one-on-one situations."
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai played 79 minutes of the game but couldn't stop his country from falling to a defeat. It was a friendly.
Liverpool continue to be linked with Bournemouth left back Milos Kerkez
Liverpool continue to be linked with Bournemouth left back Milos Kerkez (Image: Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Andy Robertson was asked about Kerkez's potential arrival earlier this week before Scotland lost 3-1 to Iceland.
"We’re not daft, it looks as if a deal could potentially be done," Robertson told BBC Scotland. "But, until that is done, I’ve not even given that a second thought.
"I back myself. I’ve got confidence in my own ability, and that drives me forward. I’ve had eight fantastic years at Liverpool in terms of winning trophies and being a mainstay in the team, which I’m incredibly proud of.
"I’m not getting any younger. I can’t change my age, but I still believe I’ve got a lot to give, and that’s what I focus on. I focus on myself — you can’t focus on other people or who you’re competing with."
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Elsewhere, Liverpool has made an improved bid for Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz. The latest offer is worth up to $153 million (£113 million) including add-ons.
That still falls short of the valuation placed on Wirtz by Leverkusen, though the player has made clear that he wants to move to the Premier League. Bayern Munich and Manchester City had previously been interested.
Amid Liverpool's chase for Kerkez, Manchester City has moved to sign Rayan Ait Nouri from Wolves. It looks set to seal a deal worth around $45 million (£33 million) for the Algerian full-back, who also has Premier League experience.