Davis: “That £40m could look cheap” – on Liverpool’s links with Milos Kerkez | OneFootball

Kerkez in Focus: Liverpool Eye £40m Left-Back in Bournemouth Transfer Stand-off

Kerkez Targeted in Tactical Rebuild

As Liverpool continue to align their summer strategy under Arne Slot, the focus has subtly but significantly shifted to left-back recruitment. On The Transfer Show, Dave Davis and Trev Downey laid bare the emerging links between Liverpool and Milos Kerkez, Bournemouth’s 20-year-old left-back.

Dave Davis didn’t skirt the core of the rumour: “Kerkez is the obvious one we haven’t mentioned in this show yet, but it’s the biggest link we’ve had.” The context is unmistakable. With Andy Robertson’s role under scrutiny and Kostas Tsimikas’ future debated, Liverpool’s gaze appears to be firmly set on a new solution—Kerkez.

Bournemouth’s Stance and the £40m Market Price

Bournemouth have no intention of holding a clearance sale. The club, as Davis describes, “are being really clear: we’ve got our own aspirations.” The message from the South Coast is firm, even if Liverpool’s interest is growing.

Kerkez’s name has weight not just due to form but value. As Davis revealed: “They’ve already made provisions because the left-back’s coming… they expect Kerkez to depart.” That expectation isn’t built on speculation but on planning. Bournemouth know his talent places him in a different bracket.

Importantly, Davis pointed to the valuation: “You’re probably looking at a £40m market price for Kerkez this summer.” That figure isn’t just an asking price—it’s a signal. Bournemouth, emboldened by performances and potential, are setting the terms.

Slot’s Priorities and the Long-Term Fit

This isn’t about plugging a gap. As Trev Downey noted, “There’s a lot of Premier League teams would like a lot of Bournemouth players.” Liverpool’s interest in Kerkez is not a matter of convenience—it’s reflective of a broader shift. Slot, pragmatic and progressive, demands a left-back who can attack with pace, defend with maturity, and adapt within transitional play.

Kerkez ticks the right boxes. His capacity to carry the ball and link with midfielders has not gone unnoticed. Davis called attention to this: “Look at those ball carries… Kerkez has been sensational this season.” The numbers and the eye test agree.

Photo: IMAGO

Competition and Caution

The question remains—will Liverpool commit at £40m? Or will Bournemouth’s price prove too high in a summer expected to bring multiple incomings?

Davis was candid: “Yes, Kerkez is likely to go, but it’s not a closing-down sale… Bournemouth are saying hands off for most.” That caveat is important. While the pathway exists, the negotiation won’t be easy.

Trev added his voice to the caution: “Once the big guys come sniffing around, it unsettles… and once they’re unsettled, the move is inevitable.” It’s a process that has played out before. Liverpool know the playbook—but this time, the stakes may be higher.

In Kerkez, they see potential. Bournemouth see value. And as Davis summarised, “That £40m could look cheap in two years’ time.”