Man City join Liverpool in £45m transfer race for Bournemouth star | OneFootball

Man City Enter Race for £45m Kerkez as Liverpool Weigh Up Left-Back Options

Kerkez attracts elite attention as summer plans accelerate

Manchester City have stepped up their interest in Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, with sources indicating the Premier League champions are now serious contenders to rival Liverpool for the Hungarian international’s signature.

As reported by iNews, Kerkez has been a long-term target for Liverpool and is understood to favour a move to Anfield. However, the absence of an official bid from the Merseyside club has created an opening which City are now looking to exploit.

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The 21-year-old, currently valued at £45 million by Bournemouth, is being monitored by several top clubs across Europe. While Liverpool have already held detailed discussions with the player’s representatives, the growing interest from Pep Guardiola’s side has added another layer of intrigue to what could be one of the summer’s earliest transfer tussles.

City eye specialist to fill void at left-back

City’s pursuit of Kerkez reflects a broader strategic reshuffle. With Josko Gvardiol increasingly utilised in central areas and academy prospect Nico O’Reilly filling in at left-back during the FA Cup final, Guardiola is known to be seeking a more natural fit for the role.

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Hugo Viana, City’s recently appointed director of football, is thought to be particularly keen on the Hungarian international, who has impressed since arriving at the Vitality Stadium. Despite Bournemouth’s firm stance on the price and the absence of a release clause, City’s financial resources position them to meet the valuation without delay.

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Liverpool still weighing alternatives

Liverpool’s head coach Arne Slot has identified the full-back position as one of several areas requiring reinforcement this summer. Although Kerkez remains a priority, iNews notes the Reds are also tracking Ajax’s teenage defender Jorrel Hato, whose versatility could present a more cost-effective solution.

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Slot recently stated it would be a “big” summer at Anfield, and the club are actively pursuing multiple targets. While a deal for Kerkez is still in play, the failure to land Dean Huijsen, who chose Real Madrid, highlights the competitive nature of this summer’s market.

Battle for top talent intensifies among Premier League giants

With the expanded Club World Cup on the horizon and several clubs under less financial strain, top-flight sides are eager to complete deals early. Executives across the league have noted a more aggressive market tone, particularly among title contenders who view the next few months as critical to squad evolution.

Liverpool and City may find themselves repeatedly going head-to-head. As iNews also reported, both clubs have previously explored moves for Florian Wirtz, although City have now distanced themselves due to Bayer Leverkusen’s £126m valuation, leaving Liverpool and Bayern Munich in contention.

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Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Milos Kerkez is undoubtedly talented – quick, technically sound and aggressive in his defensive duels – but £45 million is steep for someone still adjusting to Premier League football.

City do need another natural left-back. Gvardiol’s transition inside has worked well, and O’Reilly is promising but nowhere near ready for consistent top-level minutes. Kerkez would fill a gap, but he’s not a proven elite performer yet. At City, that’s the expectation from day one.

The biggest concern is whether this is a targeted move or simply a reaction to Liverpool’s interest. We’ve seen City enter races before – sometimes successfully, sometimes not – but this feels like a calculated punt more than a must-buy. If Hugo Viana is genuinely pushing it, there must be a belief in Kerkez’s long-term potential, yet fans would be forgiven for expecting a more complete, established option.

In a summer that’s going to be driven by early decisions and tight margins, City cannot afford to misjudge the balance between potential and pedigree. If Kerkez joins, he’ll need to hit the ground running. No bedding-in period, no learning curve – just performances.