Liverpool Have ‘Made Contact’ to Sign £45m Defender | OneFootball

Liverpool Target Milos Kerkez as Defensive Reinforcement

Liverpool have made initial contact with Bournemouth regarding their highly rated 21-year-old left-back Milos Kerkez, according to Sky Sports News. The Premier League champions are yet to submit a formal offer but are believed to be actively assessing the conditions of a possible deal.

“Liverpool have now made contact with Bournemouth for left-back Milos Kerkez,” reports Sky Sports. While no figures have been discussed publicly, the Merseyside club’s interest is clear and measured, aligning with Arne Slot’s ongoing squad evolution.

Kerkez only arrived at the Vitality Stadium last summer from AZ Alkmaar but has quickly drawn the attention of top-tier clubs. His rapid adaptation to the Premier League, technical maturity, and energy down the left flank have clearly impressed Liverpool’s recruitment team, who have been monitoring him for some time.

Photo: IMAGO

Bournemouth’s Contingency Plan Already in Motion

In a clear indication that discussions have moved beyond the speculative, Bournemouth have already taken proactive steps. “The south coast club have verbally agreed a deal of around £10.1m with Rennes for left-back Adrien Truffert that could rise to £14.3m with add-ons.”

This domino-effect suggests Bournemouth are willing to sanction Kerkez’s departure, providing Liverpool meet their valuation. Truffert, 23, brings experience from Ligue 1 and is viewed as a ready-made replacement. Bournemouth’s deal is understood to be contingent on Liverpool completing a move for Kerkez.

“Bournemouth’s move for Truffert is dependent on Liverpool signing Kerkez,” Sky Sports confirm. That makes this a fluid situation that could develop quickly in the early days of the summer window.

Why Kerkez Appeals to Liverpool

Kerkez’s potential arrival would inject youth and dynamism into a position that has required rotational cover in recent seasons. With Andy Robertson entering the twilight of his peak years and Kostas Tsimikas offering only sporadic backup, the addition of a player like Kerkez, who combines relentless running with tactical intelligence, would represent forward-thinking business.

The Hungarian international still has three years left on his Bournemouth contract, and as Sky Sports notes, “Kerkez is keen on a move to the Premier League champions and personal terms would not be an issue.”

That willingness from the player could be crucial, particularly in a summer where Liverpool aim to build squad depth without a dramatic overhaul.

Photo: IMAGO

Slot’s Subtle Rebuild Gains Momentum

Although this would be Arne Slot’s first summer window at the helm, early signals suggest the Dutchman is not looking to revolutionise the squad but rather strengthen key areas. The interest in Kerkez echoes a broader philosophy of building depth with high-upside talent.

Slot values pressing intensity and transitional speed, and Kerkez fits the mould. Should this move progress, it would represent a continuation of Liverpool’s modern-era success in identifying and recruiting under-the-radar prospects before they become headline stars.

With Bournemouth already preparing for life without him, the groundwork appears set. As one club source reportedly put it, “Kerkez is a player Liverpool are very interested in signing.” The only question now is when that interest materialises into a formal bid.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

If this deal happens, it would be another smart piece of business from Liverpool. At 21, Kerkez already looks composed and versatile, he can bomb forward, recover defensively, and isn’t shy in the tackle. For fans, there’s an air of déjà vu here. It’s reminiscent of when Robertson came in from Hull, low-key at first, but perfectly suited to Klopp’s system. Now, under Slot, the template may shift, but the principle remains the same: sign early, develop internally, and trust the process.

The fact that Bournemouth are already eyeing Truffert tells you there’s more to this than just interest. It’s logical, pragmatic planning, on both ends. Supporters know the team needs some fresh legs at full-back, especially after a long, intense season and questions around Robertson’s durability and Tsimikas’s reliability.

Would Kerkez walk straight into the starting XI? Probably not, but that’s not the point. Liverpool are preparing for a long campaign with Champions League football and domestic expectations. It’s about having options and building for the next cycle. And with Kerkez, they’d be getting a player with potential to be more than just backup, perhaps even the future of that position.