David Ornstein: Liverpool's Move for £45m Defender ‘is not Advanced'

Yahoo

23-05-2025

Liverpool and Milos Kerkez: Patience, Priorities and Pragmatism in Transfer Talks
Liverpool's pursuit of Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing sagas of this early summer window. According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, talks between the clubs are 'not advanced', even though the Hungarian international is Liverpool's top left-back target. Ornstein, who remains a reliable barometer for Premier League transfer stories, wrote:
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'It's not done. Liverpool are his priority and he is their top target but they will have other options, too.'
That sentence, while informative, also carries a slight sting for hopeful Reds fans. It suggests a transfer that is possible, plausible even, but far from guaranteed. Kerkez, who joined Bournemouth just last summer, impressed many in his debut season. His two goals and six assists in 36 league appearances were eye-catching for a defender, particularly one operating in a side that spent much of the season battling in the lower half of the table.
Photo: IMAGO
Valuation Dilemma and Club Caution
The crux of the delay seems rooted in finances. Bournemouth are reportedly demanding £45–50 million for the 21-year-old, a valuation that has left Liverpool hesitant. For context, Andy Robertson was signed for just £8 million and Kostas Tsimikas cost £11.75 million.
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'It's not advanced club-to-club yet, but clearly that can change at any point – if Liverpool (or anyone else) are ready to offer the sort of money Bournemouth are seeking,' Ornstein explained.
The club's reluctance is understandable. FSG and the Liverpool recruitment team have long prided themselves on finding value. Paying upwards of £45 million for a left-back, regardless of talent and potential, feels like a divergence from their usual model. That being said, the market has changed significantly in recent years, and the club may eventually need to embrace that reality if they wish to secure top-tier talent early in the window.
Kerkez's Agent Switch: A Potential Opening
Another interesting wrinkle is Kerkez's recent switch to super-agent Fali Ramadani. That same Ramadani played a key role in Federico Chiesa's move to Anfield last summer, a deal that surprised many. While not conclusive, the agent connection offers Liverpool a familiar negotiation route – one that could help bridge the valuation gap.
Photo: IMAGO
City and Madrid Monitoring Quietly
Kerkez's performances haven't gone unnoticed. Ornstein mentions that 'the likes of Real Madrid and Man City also have him on their radars but not as the top option.' This is where Liverpool may find both comfort and urgency. Comfort in knowing they remain favourites – Kerkez reportedly sees Anfield as his priority – but urgency, because clubs like City don't linger if they sense a potential bargain or a fit for their model.
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Liverpool, fresh off a Premier League title in Arne Slot's debut campaign, will be wary of missing out on a player who could secure the left flank for years to come.
Looking Ahead: Robertson's Future and Squad Evolution
Andrew Robertson, now 30, remains a vital part of the Liverpool setup. But with the club eyeing long-term squad evolution, Kerkez could represent both succession planning and a stylistic shift. His high-energy, attack-minded profile fits Liverpool's pressing game, while his youth would bring fresh legs to an increasingly experienced squad.
'It is expected he moves but that doesn't mean it's imminent,' Ornstein cautioned.
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Which is to say, the door is open, but Liverpool must decide how much they're willing to pay to walk through it.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
From a fan's point of view, the Milos Kerkez situation feels like a test of the club's ambition under Arne Slot. Fresh off a title-winning season, the hope is that Liverpool now move proactively and assertively in the market, especially for a player who so clearly fits the profile of what the team needs next.
Yes, £45–50 million is steep, but the market is what it is. If we can justify £85 million for a central midfielder or £60 million for a forward, then investing in a 21-year-old who could anchor the left flank for a decade is not only rational, it's necessary.
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Andy Robertson remains a legend, but with injuries creeping in and the pace of the game showing no signs of slowing, Kerkez could be brought in not just as a backup but as a long-term starter. Moreover, with interest from clubs like City and Madrid simmering under the surface, Liverpool would be wise not to dither.
Slot has earned the right to get the players he believes in. If Kerkez is the one, then it's time to act. We can't afford to let another Jude Bellingham-style saga slip away because of a few million in negotiation brinkmanship.
Bring him in, let him learn from Robbo, and keep this squad not just at the top, but evolving while it's there.