Liverpool ‘favourites’ to sign £50m star this summer | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Transfer Tug-of-War: Huijsen, Kerkez and the Battle to Stay Ahead

As Liverpool hover within touching distance of Premier League glory, the strategic chess game off the pitch is just as critical as the end-of-season finale. With Arne Slot preparing for his first summer window in charge, the club is plotting aggressive moves in both defence and attack. Credit to TBR Football for highlighting a revealing report that underlines both the ambition and internal debate surrounding Liverpool’s transfer targets.

Strengthening the Spine

Liverpool’s reported interest in Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, as per TEAMtalk’s Fraser Fletcher, speaks to a broader desire to add clinical precision to their frontline. The Swedish international is fast, intelligent, and proven in the Premier League – a profile that perfectly aligns with Slot’s preference for mobile, multi-functional forwards. But while adding firepower is key, the battle for defensive solidity is stealing the spotlight.

Photo: IMAGO

According to TBR journalist Graeme Bailey, Liverpool are “favourites” to sign 20-year-old Spanish centre-back Dean Huijsen, who has impressed during his debut Premier League season at Bournemouth after moving from Juventus. Bailey reports: “Having spoken to Bournemouth sources, they reiterated that they see him most likely staying in the Premier League and from what they believe, the favourites for him are Liverpool, not to discount Chelsea or even Arsenal or Newcastle, but Liverpool are pushing hard.”

The fee? A cool £50million release clause – a steep sum, yet increasingly typical for elite young defenders in today’s market. Bournemouth, for their part, are eager to get the deal done quickly. “Huijsen and his camp would like it, but they are waiting – they are assessing,” Bailey added. “In conversations I have had with clubs on the continent, I would not rule Real Madrid or Bayern Munich out of this hunt just yet.”

Left-Back Conundrum

Perhaps the most intriguing twist in this tale isn’t Huijsen’s future, but rather the internal divide within Liverpool regarding who should occupy the left-back slot next season. TEAMtalk have reported that Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez is Arne Slot’s number one target – a fiery, energetic Hungary international described by ex-AZ Alkmaar teammate Mathew Ryan as “aggressive” and “powerful” in Soccer News.

Kerkez, just 21, would cost £45million – another sizeable outlay. Yet TBR now claim that not everyone at Anfield is sold on him. Some within the Liverpool hierarchy are pushing for Fulham’s Antonee Robinson instead. While Kerkez is seen as a talent with high upside, Robinson is considered more Premier League-ready. “Whilst Kerkez is viewed as a player with high ceiling, Robinson is currently seen as the best left-back in the Premier League and is ready to slot in from the off,” notes the report.

There’s also a romantic twist – Robinson spent time at Everton during his youth, so settling in the North West wouldn’t be an issue. Whether that appeals to fans is a different matter.

What This Means for Slot

Slot’s first window is shaping up to be a defining moment. He inherits a side built by Jurgen Klopp but with fresh demands. The Dutchman will want defenders comfortable in high lines, attackers who press instinctively, and full-backs who can invert or overlap on command. In Huijsen and Kerkez, he’d have raw but high-potential options. In Isak and Robinson, he’d get ready-made Premier League stars.

Yet this is not just a footballing decision – it’s a political one. That there’s division over which left-back to prioritise suggests Liverpool are walking a tightrope between long-term planning and instant impact. With Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea set to strengthen, Liverpool’s margin for error is shrinking.

Who Has Final Say?

What complicates matters further is Bournemouth’s urgency. They want Huijsen gone sooner rather than later to sign a replacement. But as Bailey clarified, “the decision is not with them, it is on Huijsen.” The defender appears to be biding his time, weighing his options. Madrid and Bayern’s interest muddies the waters – and if either come calling, even Liverpool’s push may not be enough.

Meanwhile, TEAMtalk’s Rudy Galetti reports Liverpool may cut ties with one of their senior forwards this summer – another move that hints at significant overhaul.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Expectant Liverpool Supporter Reaction

From an Anfield faithful’s perspective, this report is equal parts thrilling and frustrating.

On one hand, the idea of landing Dean Huijsen – a ball-playing, fearless centre-back – aligns perfectly with where modern football is headed. He’s young, composed, and already hardened in the Premier League. If there’s truth to Liverpool “pushing hard,” that’s music to our ears. At £50million, it’s a big fee, but not ridiculous if he becomes the new Virgil.

Where the worry creeps in is the left-back debate. Milos Kerkez is raw and full of drive, but Antonee Robinson is Premier League royalty right now. That some inside the club can’t agree on the right profile is a bit alarming. Slot needs clarity and unity behind the scenes if his first window is to succeed.

And then there’s Isak. An ambitious target, yes, but also a statement one. If Liverpool pull that off, it would send shockwaves across the league.

In short? This summer feels huge. A proper fork-in-the-road window. Get it right, and Slot’s Liverpool could fly. Get it wrong, and the gap to City will only grow wider.