'Expecting': What Bournemouth think will happen with Milos Kerkez after targeing his replacement - journalist
Yesterday at 08:00 AM
Liverpool have a number of positions they could do with attacking in the January transfer market.
The Reds stayed very quiet over the summer, simply kicking the can down the road regarding several pending issues.
One of the more pressing of those problems is how Liverpool move forward at left-back.
Andy Robertson has had a tough season and despite a better display against Tottenham on Sunday there are signs that his time at the top is coming to an end.
As a result, Liverpool need a new left back. Ideally, many supporters would like to see this addressed in January.
Milos Kerkez of Bournemouth is one player who has seemingly made his way onto Liverpool’s shortlist and journalist Graeme Bailey has now explained what Bournemouth expect to happen with the Hungarian.
Bournemouth planning for Milos Kerkez exit
Liverpool have been linked with Kerkez after the 21-year-old developed into one of the best young full-backs in Europe.
However, he has not been the only player mentioned. Last summer, there were claims that Liverpool wanted to sign Julio Soler, a young left-back from Argentine club Lanus.
After it emerged that Bournemouth now want Soler, it had seemed that the 19-year-old would be a natural replacement for Kerkez. While that may be the case, Bailey says the Cherries are not expecting this transition to happen until the summer.
“Man United and Liverpool looked at Soler over the summer, he’s a very good player,” Bailey tells Rousing The Kop.
“Man United have signed Diego Leon now so their interest has waned. I think Liverpool are still looking at him but I’m told that Bournemouth are trying to do it in January.”
“That doesn’t mean Bournemouth will be open to letting Kerkez go in January, they’re expecting him to move on in the summer for a hefty profit,” Bailey adds.
“No club is confirmed favourite as yet, we know he’s on Liverpool’s list, but no more than that at this stage and I’m not convinced Richard Hughes will want to do a lot of business at Bournemouth. Unless the deal is 100 per cent right for Liverpool I don’t think he’ll pursue it, but that’s not to say Kerkez won’t be.”
Could Liverpool try and sign Julio Soler?
While Bailey asserts that Liverpool are still taking a look at Soler, the transfer expert thinks that Bournemouth could be set to make a ‘clever’ move and beat the Reds to the Argentina U23 star.
“Liverpool are aware of Soler and have been for a lot of months, but I think Bournemouth are being clever because their only way of getting him would be next month,” he says.
“Sometimes the big clubs don’t want to make their move in January, so there’s a chance to get some players who you otherwise might not have got.”
If Bournemouth’s jumpstart on getting Soler in leads to Liverpool sewing up a deal for Kerkez, then not too many supporters will be bothered on missing out, even if they do have to wait until the summer.
