The young Hungarian international has emerged as a key target under Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, attracting interest from other major clubs like Real Madrid as well. Bournemouth values Kerkez at £45 million, making the transfer a challenging negotiation.
Kerkez joined Bournemouth from AZ Alkmaar in 2023 for £15.5 million and has quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most promising young full-backs. In the 2024–25 season, he played 37 matches, scoring twice and assisting five times. Defensively, he averages nearly two tackles and two clearances per game, and is praised for his energetic runs, precise crosses, and disciplined positioning—drawing comparisons to Liverpool’s Andy Robertson. With Robertson nearing 31 and backup Kostas Tsimikas possibly leaving, Liverpool views Kerkez as both a future replacement and immediate competition.
Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director who helped bring Kerkez to Bournemouth, is leading the transfer effort. Reports indicate Kerkez prefers Liverpool over Manchester City and is enthusiastic about joining the reigning champions. However, Bournemouth remain firm on their asking price, especially after recently selling Dean Huijsen to PSG for £50 million.
Manchester City are also interested as Pep Guardiola looks for a more reliable left-back option, while Real Madrid’s interest seems less urgent. Liverpool fans have mixed opinions on the transfer, with some excited about Kerkez’s potential and others doubtful, particularly after a poor performance against City.
Internationally, Kerkez has 37 caps for Hungary and impressed at Euro 2024. His stats and playing style align with Slot’s tactics requiring full-backs to contribute both offensively and defensively. Initially, Kerkez might rotate with Robertson to acclimate before becoming a key player. Liverpool is also pursuing Jeremie Frimpong for the opposite flank, emphasizing their desire for dynamic, attacking full-backs.
There is some uncertainty due to a past comment from Kerkez saying he wouldn’t join Liverpool, but recent developments suggest he may have changed his mind. Meanwhile, Liverpool is also considering other targets like Ajax’s Jorrel Hato.
Overall, Liverpool’s pursuit of Kerkez highlights their focus on youth and long-term squad building under Slot. The transfer window will reveal whether they can outbid Manchester City and convince Bournemouth to sell, determining if Kerkez will join Anfield next season
