Leeds realise regret as Liverpool strike huge £40m transfer agreement

Arne Slot has scooped up Milos Kerkez after Leeds were previously close to signing the player

Leeds United narrowly missed out on signing Milos Kerkez before the defender made a move to Bournemouth and set the stage for his £40million transfer to Liverpool. The Hungarian left-back has been one of the Premier League's unexpected stars this season, featuring in all 38 of Bournemouth's top-flight fixtures and contributing an impressive six assists along the way. With the summer transfer window now open, it was only a matter of time before the big clubs started showing interest, and Kerkez now looks set to make a move to Anfield for £40m. Bournemouth acquired Kerkez from AZ Alkmaar for approximately £15.5m in 2023, but had Leeds acted sooner, they could have seen nearly £25m in profit from signing the then-21-year-old two years prior. When Kerkez was just 19 and making waves in the Eredivisie with AZ, talkSPORT reported Leeds, Leicester City and Bournemouth were each vying for his signature in January 2023. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Max Wober had already been brought in to strengthen Jesse Marsch's defence during that window. And with Junior Firpo struggling to find form, Kerkez was clearly identified as a potential star for both the present and future. However, Kerkez remained in Alkmaar after the transfer window closed that January. And when the summer came around, with Leeds having been relegated, the defender signed a contract with Bournemouth instead. Former Bournemouth CEO Neill Blake was full of praise when Kerkez joined: "An athletic and attacking full-back, Milos will be an excellent addition to our exciting squad. Milos [is] a talented young player with a great deal of potential. He was being tracked by a number of clubs in Europe but was very keen to join us after hearing about our plans and ambitions for the future."

Daniel Farke was almost onto a winner before Kerkez began his rise at Bournemouth

Fast-forward to today, and it appears Kerkez is on the verge of making a £40m switch to Arne Slot's Premier League heavyweights. The youngster has clearly gained traction in football quarters, revealing to The Athletic in March his awareness of the Liverpool rumours. "It's not like I don't see it," said the defender. "When people say they don't see stuff if someone says something about you, I think it's a lie. It's only if it hits you or not.

Kerkez was one of the best full-backs in the Premier League last season

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