Milos Kerkez’s breakout campaign is generating a lot of interest and attracting plenty of suitors.
By Filip Mishov
With AFC Bournemouth flying high this season, sitting in seventh in the Premier League at the time of writing, it was inevitable that the Cherries’ young stars would catch the eye of England’s top clubs, and that’s certainly the case with their talented left back, Milos Kerkez.
FotMob understands from sources in Hungary that Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea are all closely following his development, but the Red Devils are leading the race to sign the 21-year-old defender, who has started each and every match in England’s top-flight this season. However, Bournemouth are under no pressure to sell with the Hungarian international who is contracted on a long-term deal until 2028, and Bill Foley & co. are set to ask north of £35m if the interest materialises in the player, who arrived at the Vitality Stadium from AZ Alkmaar just 18 months ago for reportedly for a fee around the £15m mark.
Here, we analyse Kerkez’s most likely destination, if the left back is to leave during the January transfer window, and give the lowdown on what makes him one of the top full-back prospects in the Premier League as well as Europe, despite questions remaining about his character.
United in desperate need of fresh energy on the left flank
Even though each of the five clubs mentioned hold an interest in signing the prodigy, Manchester United’s need for a new left wing-back is the most urgent, and FotMob understands that Kerkez is one of the leading candidates on the club’s shortlist to strengthen the squad during the January transfer window.
The Hungarian impressed Rúben Amorim in last month’s audition at Old Trafford, and it is quite telling that Tyrell Malacia has not played a single minute since that 3-0 defeat to the Cherries, a match in which Kerkez earned a 7.3 FotMob rating, while the Dutchman was hooked at half-time with a damning 5.7 rating. Additionally, with Luke Shaw and Malacia’s injury troubles over the past couple of seasons and Amorim’s change of system to 3-4-3, the 21-year-old could be the ideal solution on the left flank for the newly-appointed head coach. Furthermore, reports indicate that Kerkez is extremely interested in a move to Manchester United and would relish the chance to play at the Theatre of Dreams, with the Kerkez family being lifelong supporters of the club, and the player himself spoke about the interest last year, referring to Nemanja Vidić as his childhood idol.
The rough diamond can develop into one of the world’s best left backs under the right coach, although doubts exist about his character
With 48 Premier League’s appearances under his belt at the age of 21, it is fair to say that Kerkez is not only a young and talented left back, but a fairly experienced one for his age. Also, with three assists and one goal scored this season, the Hungarian ranks among the top five full-backs in the Premier League based on goal involvements, and only Trent Alexander-Arnold (5), Pedro Porro (6), Antonee Robinson (7) and Rayan Ait Nouri (8) are ahead of him.
With that being said, doubts remain over his character, and sources in Hungary explain that if judged only by his talent, his world-class potential and on pitch abilities, the 21-year-old would be top of Manchester United’s shortlist and the other interested parties, but some people within the club have doubts about the player’s character and whether the Hungarian is mentally ready to make the next step now and excel at a top level club.
Also, figuring high on a shortlist that includes the likes of Alphonso Davies, Theo Hernández and Nuno Mendes among others, just shows how highly rated Kerkez really is. On the other hand, despite the doubts about his mentality, the left back only turned 21 in November and under the right coaching staff, he has all the tools and time on his side to improve, both on and off the pitch. Another factor in Kerkez’s favour is his tactical versatility, as the efficient dribbler is capable of playing both as a left back in a four-man defence and as a left wing-back in a three-man defence, a role he occupies for his national team, which gives the coaches a variety of options on how to use him.
Summary
The Cherries are in no rush to sell and are aware that some of the interested parties, like Manchester United, find themselves in a tight financial situation in January, plus they believe Kerkez’s value and subsequently, price will only rise if he continues to perform well in the second part of the season and if they can possibly maintain their push for securing European football for next season.
Finally, with the market of young, talented and fairly experienced left backs in the Premier League being limited, and with Liverpool’s ever-growing need to find Andrew Robertson‘s successor, with Joško Gvardiol being Man City’s only left back option, and Arsenal’s never-ending search for defensive reinforcements, it might be in Bournemouth’s best interest to resist any attempts to part ways with Kerkez in January as the summer might be the ideal time to cash in on him.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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