The Reds have been locked in talks to sign Kerkez, who will provide competition with Andy Robertson for the left-back slot, but hopes of concluding a swift deal for the player this week have receded.
Those close to Kerkez still believe a deal will be brokered and it is only a matter of time before the transfer is concluded but there’s a determination at the Bournemouth end to drive a hard bargain for the full-back, who they have consistently rated at the £45m mark.
Liverpool are also struggling to agree a fee for Florian Wirtz (Photo: Getty)Having sold Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid after his release clause was triggered earlier this summer, Bournemouth can afford to demand big prices for the rest of their star assets. Kerkez also had interest from Manchester City and Real Madrid but always wanted to move to Anfield.
A first proposal of £109m was rejected last week with the Bundesliga side holding out for closer to £126m, but The i Paper has been told by sources in Germany that there remains a belief that the deal will be done.
There is more intrigue over the future of Luis Diaz, though, who has attracted interest from Barcelona. An initial approach from the Catalan giants was rejected on Wednesday and Liverpool are not interested in selling Diaz, but the player himself appeared to open the door for an exit when he said he was “waiting to see what happens”.
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If Liverpool do decide to cash in on Diaz, they could yet return to the table for Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon – who was a potential target a year ago when the Magpies needed to sell players to comply with the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules(PSR).
Gordon, a Liverpool fan, was interested in making the move last summer but has since signed a new contract. He enjoyed mixed fortunes last season, struggling to return to the team after being suspended for the Carabao Cup final, but boss Eddie Howe rates him highly.
The club resisted the temptation to spend big after Arne Slot’s appointment and look set to reap the rewards of that, with moves for Kerkez and Wirtz significantly upgrading the best squad in the country.
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