Uttiyo Sarkar

Liverpool’s Pursuit of Milos Kerkez Faces Real Madrid Competition and a Hefty Price Tag Set by His Former Director

Liverpool, Milos Kerkez

Liverpool have fallen into a bit of a dilemma for their left-back position. Andy Robertson has shown signs of regression in the 2024/25 season. Conceding penalties against Real Madrid and Southampton, as well as getting sent off in the 2-2 draw against Fulham, have not helped his case.

In 26 Premier League games so far, Robertson has zero assists. The 30-year-old isn’t getting any younger, and his erroneous nature has now forced Liverpool to look at possible long-term successors.

Liverpool have been strongly linked with Bournemouth full-back Milos Kerkez. The 21-year-old has been a vibrant, energetic figure for the Cherries this season, with six goal contributions (two goals, four assists) in 27 appearances. He scored in the 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle United at St. James Park and even provided two assists in his side’s 2-1 win over Manchester City.

The Hungary international has been defensively hard-working, making 125 possession recoveries and winning 99 duels to help his side keep six clean sheets in the Premier League so far. But it appears that Liverpool will have to pay up big bucks for Kerkez’s signing.

Fichajes claims that Bournemouth will be demanding at least £33 million for the possible summer sale of the 21-yaer-old. Moreover, it’s also claimed that Real Madrid are interested in Kerkez’s signing. Liverpool will clearly not have an easy path when it comes to signing the Hungarian anytime soon.

Bournemouth signed Kerkez for a rumoured £18 million fee in 2023, by now-Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes. It’s only fair for the Cherries to price him at just under double that amount considering his excellent form in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign. Liverpool, however, might balk at that amount.

Kerkez already has buddies inside the Liverpool squad, especially with fellow countryman Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungerian midfielder even posted a selfie with the full-back after the Reds’ 2-0 win over Bournemouth at Dean Court on February 1 (2025).

They have a proud record of not spending much on full-backs. In fact, the Reds spent under £10 million for Robertson’s signing from Hull City in 2016. But if they want a quality competitor or replacement for Robertson, Liverpool must bite the bullet and allow Hughes to negotiate a deal to sign Kerkez for the second time in three years.