Bournemouth has reportedly placed a substantial £45 million price tag on their talented left-back Milos Kerkez amidst growing interest from Liverpool. According to a report from The Times, the 21-year-old player has had an exceptional season, showcasing his skills both defensively and in attack. With three years remaining on his contract, Kerkez is expected to depart Bournemouth this summer. The club is adamant about pursuing a straightforward cash transfer and has no intentions of involving Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher, in the negotiations.
Kerkez has established himself as a pivotal part of Andoni Iraola’s squad, contributing not just defensively but also in attack with two goals and six assists throughout the season. The potential move to Liverpool is seen as a strategic signing as the club looks to bolster its left-back options, particularly with Andy Robertson aging at 31 and Konstantinos Tsimikas at 28. Interestingly, Kerkez was previously signed from AZ Alkmaar for £15.5 million two years ago by Richard Hughes, Bournemouth’s former technical director.
In a separate development, Manchester United’s aspirations of acquiring Ipswich striker Liam Delap have received a significant boost following statements from Ipswich chairman Mark Ashton. As reported by the Mirror, Ashton acknowledged that player sales are an inherent part of the cyclical nature of football. Delap has been in outstanding form, netting 10 goals under manager Kieran McKenna this season, and he has reportedly entered Ruben Amorim’s shortlist of potential strikers ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
Given the current struggles of established forwards like Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee to deliver consistent goal-scoring output, Delap’s inclusion represents a tactical shift towards securing a prolific scorer. The Red Devils are in a precarious position, currently languishing in 13th place in the Premier League. Therefore, enhancing the squad with a reliable forward is of utmost importance for manager Amorim, particularly if Delap can consistently find the back of the net. The acknowledgment from Ashton that their club may eventually need to sell key players may open the door for United to finalize a deal for Delap.
On another front, Chelsea has renewed their interest in Barcelona defender Jules Kounde. As reported by The Sun, the Blues have been on the lookout for a high-caliber center-back since Thiago Silva’s departure from Stamford Bridge last year. Kounde, who was previously pursued by Chelsea during his time at Sevilla before Barcelona ultimately signed him for £42 million, now stands as a prime target once again.
Kounde’s versatility to play both as a center-back and a right-back makes him an ideal choice for Chelsea’s management under Enzo Maresca’s leadership. Under former Barcelona coach Xavi, Kounde’s potential was quickly recognized, leading to a position change to right-back. His current coach Hansi Flick has maintained this role, allowing Kounde to prove himself among the top defenders in Europe. Additionally, Chelsea is reportedly keeping an eye on Bournemouth’s 19-year-old defender, Dean Huijsen, as they approach the summer transfer window.
Finally, Chelsea is preparing for a competitive battle for the goalkeeper position in the coming season. According to the Telegraph, Djordje Petrovic and the highly-rated teenager Mike Penders will be vying for Chelsea’s No. 1 spot. Petrovic, currently on loan at Strasbourg, and Penders, who is set to finalize his move from Genk, could be available for the Club World Cup set to take place in the United States later this summer.
The Telegraph highlights that the club’s strategy will involve a thorough evaluation of Petrovic and Penders in conjunction with this season’s first-team goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen. Chelsea’s goalkeeping situation has been problematic this season, with mistakes resulting in their rotation among goalkeepers. Petrovic has notably improved since joining and now plays a style that aligns closely with Maresca’s vision for the team, potentially making him a strong candidate to establish himself as Chelsea’s first choice.
As the transfer market approaches, both Bournemouth, Manchester United, and Chelsea are actively assessing their options and strategizing for the upcoming season.