Kerkez is reportedly Liverpool’s top target for the left-back position this summer, and there were several reports on Monday that the talks were progressing.
According to reports, the Hungarian is keen to join the Reds, and talks are currently taking place regarding both personal terms and a transfer fee that is anticipated to be around £45 million.
However, Mark Douglas of The i Paper claims that Man City is also in the running and that Liverpool has not yet made a formal offer to Bournemouth.
According to Douglas, Man City is “now viewed as genuine rivals for his signature,” while Liverpool has “long been considered the frontrunners.”
It is argued that Bournemouth “expects their valuation to be met” because of the level of interest, which may be the driving force behind this most recent update.
With no release clause in Kerkez’s contract and Liverpool and Bournemouth obviously locked in negotiations over the fee to be paid—which is less of a formality than with Jeremie Frimpong—reports of rival interest would benefit the selling club.
This is not to imply that Man City is not sincerely interested, but given that the player is either nearing or has already reached a personal agreement with Liverpool, it is more likely that Douglas’ report is merely a side note.
Liverpool would be in a better position to negotiate a lower price for Bournemouth if they were given a clear run at Kerkez.
Reporters are being briefed by Liverpool on their options.
This is also probably where the frequent references to Ajax’s Jorrel Hato come in, as this week’s mentions of Liverpool’s interest were made by Paul Joyce of the Times and James Pearce of The Athletic.
Before mentioning that Hato “is another attractive option,” Pearce writes that “it remains to be seen if they are willing to meet Bournemouth’s £45 million valuation” for Kerkez.
In a brief on Monday night, Joyce adopted a similar stance, stating that Hato is “among a number of alternatives” and that Kerkez’s “valuation is key” in any discussions regarding a transfer.
After attending Anfield to watch the 4-1 thumping of Ipswich in January, Hato, a 19-year-old Netherlands international who can play both left-back and center-back, was first linked earlier this year.
Although it was never likely to be the only explanation, it was stated at the time that the teenager was only on Merseyside to observe friend Ryan Gravenberch in action.
Regardless of Man City’s interest, Liverpool is still likely to sign Kerkez at this point, but it appears that Richard Hughes is letting his old team know that he won’t be coerced into paying too much.