Liverpool have agreed a £40 million deal with Bournemouth for Hungarian left-back Milos Kerkez, with the 21-year-old due to complete his medical on June 24, 2025, in Merseyside. The signing is one of the summer’s most high-profile transfers and signals Liverpool’s intent to strengthen their squad under manager Arne Slot as they look to retain their Premier League crown. Kerkez is expected to sign a five-year contract that will keep him at Anfield until 2030, with the move set to be formally announced once his medical and paperwork are finalized.
Kerkez originally joined Bournemouth from AZ Alkmaar for £15.5 million in July 2023 and quickly established himself as a key player. Last season, he featured in all 38 Premier League matches for the Cherries, scoring twice and registering six assists as Bournemouth secured a club-best ninth-place finish on 56 points. Known for his energy and skill, Kerkez ranked fifth in the Premier League for ball recoveries among defenders with 169, while also creating 34 chances from open play, delivering 142 crosses, completing 22 dribbles, and making 476 passes into the final third — all attributes that suit Slot’s attacking style perfectly.
Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes played a crucial role in facilitating the deal, having previously recruited Kerkez at Bournemouth. Kerkez’s father, Sebastijan, highlighted Hughes’ influence, telling reporters, “For us, Liverpool was the only option. If Richard had told us to go to India, we would have followed him there.” Terms were finalized quickly, with Kerkez expressing his ambition to play at the highest level. Speaking to The Athletic in March, he said, “As a kid, you dream of winning trophies and playing for the best teams.”
Liverpool’s interest in Kerkez was driven by questions over their current left-backs. Andy Robertson, 31, is entering the final year of his deal and attracting interest from Atlético Madrid, while Kostas Tsimikas may leave in search of more regular playing time. Kerkez offers a long-term, dynamic solution on the left side of defence and will join other recent arrivals like Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5m) and Florian Wirtz (£116.5m) from Bayer Leverkusen as part of Liverpool’s summer overhaul.
Bournemouth, preparing for his departure, have already moved for replacements, including Rennes’ Adrien Truffert and Argentina U23’s Julio Soler. The £40 million fee makes Kerkez Liverpool’s most expensive full-back signing ever and the club’s 12th-costliest signing overall — second among defenders only to Virgil van Dijk. With targets like Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi and Newcastle’s Alexander Isak also on the club’s radar, Liverpool’s summer spending could surpass £200 million. Kerkez’s arrival alongside fellow Hungarian Dominik Szoboszlai and his potential link-up with Wirtz down the left flank promises an exciting new chapter at Anfield.
