£40m demands could be too rich for Chelsea – but Blues should consider perfect Cucurella alternative | OneFootball

The words “Bournemouth left back” don’t sound like the most exciting concept in the world, and ten years ago certainly wouldn’t have been something associated with Chelsea.

But the Cherries rise to the Premier League – especially their latest incarnation under the thrilling management of Andoni Iraola, means they’re now buying and selling some really top players, and of their current prospects is attracting a lot of attention.

Milos Kerkez is getting a lot of transfer chatter, with both Chelsea and Liverpool linked with the dangerous full back.

CaughtOffside today have an update on the growing pursuit of the Hungary international. They say that the defender is “flattered” by links to top clubs, but also that Bournemouth are prepared to dig their heels in and demand more than £40m for their player.

Milos Kerkez in action for Bournemouth. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Chelsea’s left back situation makes deal an interesting proposition

With Marc Cucurella already established as our favoured left sided option, it doesn’t seem likely that Chelsea will be ready to part with such major money for a backup.

On the other hand, if you’re willing to pay £19m for Omari Kellyman, or any Brazilian who makes a few senior appearances before they’re 20, why not spend £40m on a player we already know is really good and should be able to make an impact right away?

One Ben Chilwell’s wages are off the books, Renato Veiga will be Marc Cucurella’s only backup, and he doesn’t offer anything like the same skillset as Kerkez in terms of going forward.

Liverpool’s interest will make things tricky – they can offer first team football to Kerkez in a way that we really can’t. Andrew Robertson is coming to the end of his peak, and we expect the Reds to move decisively to replace him very soon.