Liverpool believe first summer signing is close amid £10m gap in valuation

Liverpool are now ready to proceed on their first summer signing after holding initial talks with representatives, according to a new report.

Robertson calls for strong finish as Reds shop for replacements

Liverpool had, until just a couple of weeks ago, been on course for a potential treble in what is Arne Slot's first season in charge at Anfield. However, an early exit from the Champions League at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain and a defeat in the EFL Cup final to Newcastle United have now derailed those dreams, with the Reds still in the race for the Premier League.

Fortunately, they are well in the lead, and it would take an incredible series of slip-ups for them not to win it. However, defender Andrew Robertson doesn't want to leave anything up to chance after what's been a difficult few weeks.

"It's up to us to be fresh. It's up to us to be fresh in mind and fresh in body. The schedule still has a lot of games and there will be tired bodies," the Scotsman recently told Liverpool's official website.

"But hopefully in April and May we will still be fresh and we will still be firing on all cylinders because we're going to need to be doing that to win anything this season. If we are, it gives us the best possible chance."

Liverpool believe they will sign Bournemouth star Kerkez

Even if they do win the Premier League, Slot is expected to somewhat reinvent his squad for his second season in charge at Anfield. Trent Alexander-Arnold is off to Real Madrid, while the futures of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk also remain up in the air for now.

Robertson is another who could be on his way out in the summer, with the Reds having reportedly already lined up a replacement for the Scotland international, 31.

According to TBR Football, Liverpool have been doing extensive background checks on Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez – speaking to representatives of fellow Hungary international Dominik Szoboszlai – and are now ready to officially open talks about a switch to Anfield.

One of the Premier League's standout full-backs this term, Bournemouth are said to be willing to part ways with Kerkez in the summer for a fee of £50 million. Though Liverpool value the 21-year-old at closer to £40 million, TBR Football claims that "there is a belief on all sides that an agreement will be reached in the coming weeks".

Bournemouth have seemingly already signed their next Kerkez in Julio Soler, as they look to follow fellow South Coast club's Brighton sustainable model in the transfer market.

Kerkez himself, meanwhile, recently revealed in an interview with The Athletic that he one day wants to play for a Champions League club.

"As a kid, you dream to play at the highest level, win the trophies, be on the best teams," he said. "These are the things that my agent is on. My dad is on. It is not something that they occupy me with because the season is still going, so there's no point to talk about anything."

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