Liverpool have agreed a £40 million deal to sign Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, marking a significant step in the club’s summer overhaul under new head coach Arne Slot.
The 21-year-old Hungary international is expected to undergo a medical in the coming days before finalising his move to Anfield.
Kerkez’s arrival comes amid a summer of bold investment from the newly crowned Premier League champions.
The Reds have also sealed a club-record £116 million move for Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz, while Dutch right-back Jeremie Frimpong has already joined from the same Bundesliga club for £29.5 million.
Kerkez will become the second Hungarian international in the Liverpool squad, linking up with teammate Dominik Szoboszlai, who joined from RB Leipzig in 2023.
Born in Vrbas, Serbia, Kerkez began his football journey at Hungarian side Gyor before earning a move to AC Milan in 2021.
However, he failed to make a first-team appearance for the Rossoneri and departed for Dutch Eredivisie outfit AZ Alkmaar in January 2022.
It was in the Netherlands where Kerkez began to make a name for himself. In the 2022-23 campaign, he helped AZ Alkmaar to a fourth-place finish in the league and played a crucial role in their run to the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League, where they were eliminated by eventual winners West Ham United.
That season, Kerkez recorded five goals and seven assists in 52 appearances across all competitions, earning plaudits for his aggressive style, work ethic, and attacking contributions from left-back.
His performances caught the eye of several clubs, but it was Bournemouth who secured his services in the summer of 2023.
At the time, Liverpool’s current sporting director Richard Hughes was part of the Cherries’ backroom staff and played a key role in bringing the Hungarian to the South Coast.
Kerkez wasted no time settling into life in England. He featured in all 38 Premier League matches for Bournemouth in the 2024-25 season, helping the club to a ninth-place finish and a record 56 points in the top flight.
His season’s tally of two goals and six assists underscored his dual-threat capability – solid defensively and productive going forward.
Statistically, Kerkez was one of the most impressive defenders in the league. He recovered the ball 169 times – the fifth most among all Premier League defenders and more than any current Liverpool full-back.
His 11 recoveries in the attacking third ranked ninth, further highlighting his value in a high-pressing system.
He created 34 chances from open play – the seventh most by any defender – and registered five assists, placing him joint-fourth in that category.
His 142 crosses were the sixth-most among defenders, and he created eight big chances – again, ranking seventh. Additionally, he completed 22 dribbles, more than any Liverpool defender last season, and passed into the final third 476 times, ranking tenth league-wide for defenders.
Tactical Fit Under Arne Slot
With Jurgen Klopp’s departure, the Slot era at Liverpool begins with a focus on structured pressing and intelligent ball movement.
While Klopp’s “heavy metal” football has evolved, Slot maintains the essence of high-intensity play but with added tactical control. Kerkez’s playing profile suggests he will be a natural fit for this updated philosophy.
Kerkez’s imminent arrival raises questions about the futures of Liverpool’s current left-backs. Scotland international Andy Robertson has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid, while Greek defender Kostas Tsimikas is expected to leave in search of more regular playing time.
The club remains hopeful of retaining Robertson, but at 31, the experienced full-back may opt for a move that guarantees more minutes. Tsimikas, meanwhile, appears more likely to depart, potentially paving the way for Kerkez to battle for a starting role.
Liverpool’s pursuit of Kerkez is part of a broader strategy to refresh the squad with youthful, technically adept players who align with Slot’s vision.
The £40 million fee underlines the club’s belief in his potential, and with Frimpong and Wirtz also arriving, the Reds are sending a clear message ahead of the 2025-26 season.
With the Hungarian defender joining a title-winning squad brimming with attacking firepower and tactical ambition, Milos Kerkez could be the latest in a line of transformational full-backs at Anfield – following in the footsteps of names like Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
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