Liverpool looking to seal deal for £45m-rated Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth | Liverpool

Liverpool are attempting to finalise a deal to sign Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth with the south-coast club demanding £45m for the Hungary international.

Arne Slot has made Kerkez his first-choice target for strengthening at left-back and Liverpool are increasingly confident of completing a deal, though Bournemouth are holding out for their full valuation of the 21-year-old.

Kerkez, who can also operate as a left wing-back, is keen on a move to Merseyside and Liverpool’s position is strengthened by Richard Hughes’ involvement in negotiations. The Liverpool sporting director was technical director at Bournemouth when Kerkez was signed from AZ Alkmaar in 2023 and is leading talks with his former club.

Liverpool have already signed one full-back/wing-back this summer with the £29.5m transfer of Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen and want to improve their options on the opposite flank. The arrival of Kerkez could lead to the exit of Kostas Tsimikas, who has provided back-up to Andy Robertson throughout his five years on Merseyside.

Bournemouth are facing an exodus of defensive talent this summer with Real Madrid activating Dean Huijsen’s £50m release clause and his fellow centre-back, Ilya Zabarnyi, a target for European champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool also remain in talks with Leverkusen over what would be a club-record signing of Florian Wirtz.