Liverpool told to cough up: Bournemouth name price for Milos Kerkez and rule out including Caoimhin Kelleher in potential summer transfer

Per The Times, Bournemouth are expected to demand a transfer fee in the region of £45 million ($58m) for full-back Kerkez if Premier League giants Liverpool place a formal bid for the player. The 21-year-old has had an impressive season with the Cherries in the 2024-25 campaign and has been strongly linked with a move away from the club in the summer. As the player will have three years left on his existing deal after the current season, the club will want a straight cash deal. The report adds that the Reds might try to include goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher as part of the deal, but the offer is likely to be rejected.

Kerkez was brought to the Vitality Stadium from AZ in 2023 and then-Bournemouth sporting director Robert Hughes played an important role in the transfer. Hughes is now in a similar role at Anfield and has been working closely with Liverpool manager Arne Slot on transfer activities since last summer.

Slot has already started planning for the upcoming 2025-26 season and will look to make a host of signings to strengthen the squad. The Dutchman sees Kerkez as a perfect option to add to the left side of the defence to provide competition to an ageing Andy Robertson.

Andoni Iraola's side, who are just four points behind fifth-placed Manchester City in the table, will aim to secure a slot in the Champions League season. They will be next seen in action on Wednesday as they take on Ipswich Town in the Premier League.