Liverpool have finalized a £40 million agreement with Bournemouth to sign Hungarian left-back Milos Kerkez, with the 21-year-old scheduled to undergo a medical today, June 24, 2025, in Merseyside. The transfer, one of the most significant moves of the summer window, marks Liverpool’s aggressive push to bolster their squad under manager Arne Slot as they aim to defend their Premier League title. Kerkez is expected to sign a five-year contract, keeping him at Anfield until 2030, and the deal is set to be officially announced as early as tomorrow, following the completion of medical tests and final paperwork.
Kerkez, who joined Bournemouth from AZ Alkmaar for £15.5 million in July 2023, has been a standout performer in the Premier League. Last season, he played all 38 league matches, contributing two goals and six assists while helping the Cherries achieve a club-record ninth-place finish with 56 points. His defensive tenacity—recovering the ball 169 times, the fifth-most among Premier League defenders—and attacking output, including 34 open-play chances created and 142 crosses, make him an ideal fit for Slot’s system, which demands dynamic full-backs. Kerkez’s 22 successful dribbles and 476 passes into the final third further highlight his ability to contribute both defensively and offensively.
The transfer has been facilitated by Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, who played a key role in bringing Kerkez to Bournemouth during his tenure as the Cherries’ technical director. Kerkez’s father, Sebastijan, emphasized the family’s trust in Hughes, stating, “For us, Liverpool is the only option. If he had said we were going to India, we would have gone to India.” Personal terms were swiftly agreed, with Kerkez expressing a long-standing desire to play at the highest level and compete for trophies, a goal he articulated in a March interview with The Athletic: “As a kid, you dream to play at the highest level, win the trophies, be on the best teams.”
Liverpool’s interest in Kerkez intensified as uncertainties surround their current left-backs. Andy Robertson, 31, has been linked with Atlético Madrid as he enters the final year of his contract, while Kostas Tsimikas, often a backup, could depart in search of regular minutes. Kerkez’s arrival provides fresh energy and long-term stability at the position, complementing recent signings like Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5m from Bayer Leverkusen) and Florian Wirtz (£116.5m from the same club). Bournemouth, anticipating Kerkez’s exit, have already secured Rennes’ Adrien Truffert and Argentina U23 international Julio Soler as replacements.
The £40 million fee makes Kerkez Liverpool’s most expensive full-back signing ever and their 12th-most expensive acquisition overall, trailing only Virgil van Dijk among defenders. With additional targets like Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi and Newcastle’s Alexander Isak on their radar, Liverpool’s summer spending could exceed £200 million. Kerkez’s integration alongside compatriot Dominik Szoboszlai and his synergy with Wirtz on the left flank promise an exciting new chapter for the Reds.
