Liverpool celebrate MAJOR Milos Kerkez transfer boost

Liverpool are very keen on signing Bournemouth’s Hungarian left-back Milos Kerkez, and have received a major boost in their attempts to sign him.

The Reds' sporting director Richard Hughes has lots on his plate at the moment, with the contracts of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold set to expire at the end of the season.

While those deals will be taking up most of his time, Hughes also needs to provide Arne Slot with a squad that can compete for trophies beyond this season, and a number of key transfers are needed.

Andy Robertson has been one of the Reds’ most consistent players since he joined for just £8m in 2017.

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The Scottish captain will surely go down as one of the Reds’ best-ever value for money signings, and has won the lot in his time at Anfield.

However, at 30, Liverpool will be looking to the future and a long-term replacement is needed.

Anfield Watch exclusively reported last month that Liverpool have started talking to Kerkez about a potential transfer that could be worth up to £50m.

This week, Dominik Szoboszlai also inadvertently confirmed the Reds’ interest in signing his national team counterpart.

And Bournemouth are now planning for life without Kerkez in what will be a major boost to Liverpool’s transfer plans.

Bournemouth target Milos Kerkez replacement

For Andoni Iraola to accept any Kerkez departure Bournemouth will need to find an adequate replacement for the impressive 21-year-old, and they are already lining one up.

That’s according to Spanish outlet Revolo, who are reporting that the south-coast club are keen on a move for Real Madrid fullback Fran Garcia to fill Kerkez’s position in their defence.

The 25-year-old came through Madrid’s academy before moving to Rayo Vallecano in 2020. He initially joined on loan, but made the transfer permanent after impressing the Rayo manager at that time. That manager? Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.

Having moved back to Madrid in 2023 after they triggered a buyback clause in his contract, Garcia has been fighting with Ferland Mendy for the starting left-back spot in Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

The report states that a move away from Madrid is likely in the near future, despite the fact that Garcia is happy at the club. While he has performed well when called upon this season, Madrid are targeting a superstar signing in Alphonso Davies which would surely spell the end of his time at Los Blancos.

Bournemouth appear perfectly placed to jump on any opportunity to sign Iraola’s former player, and it would improve Liverpool’s chances of getting Kerkez if they are confident of securing a deal.

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