EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea weigh up transfer for £40m Bournemouth star

FT Desk

20 Jun 2024 17:00 BST
4 min read

Milos Kerkez, The Transfers Podcast — © IMAGO

Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are all monitoring Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez ahead of a potential summer transfer with the left back unhappy at the Vitality Stadium, The Transfers Podcast understands.

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All three Premier League clubs are in the market for a reliable performer in that position this summer and a deal is thought to be possible for a figure over £40 million.

Kerkez, 20, is currently at Euro 2024 with Hungary and is seen as a superb athlete and a strong attacking left back.

There remain question marks over the full back tactically, however, which is understood to have led to disagreements between the player and Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola.

The player believes he has fared well in the position but, the Spaniard has either left Kerkez out of the starting XI or the matchday squad on occasion.

As a result the player’s father, who is heavily involved in planning the youngster's future, is said to be keen for his son to move on.

“Andoni Iraola hasn't been particularly happy with Kerkez from a tactical perspective,” Duncan Castles said on The Transfers Podcast. “And there's been a bit of dispute between him and the player.

“Kerkez is not particularly happy with Bournemouth because he's being subbed off and left out of some of the games even though he feels he's performing well.

“There's an opportunity for that to be exploited should a club be ready to go in with a very high fee.”

© IMAGO - Milos Kerkez joined Bournemouth last summer.

How would Kerkez fit at any new team?

Kerkez signed from AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie last summer for around €20 million and already has a well-travelled career. He started with Gyor in Hungary before moving to AC Milan and onto AZ in the Netherlands.

Manchester United suffered a left-back crisis last season due to long-term injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

They sent loanee Sergio Reguilon back to Tottenham and even utilised midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and forward Antony in the position at times.

STATS

Milos Kerkez

D (RL)

B'mouth

Milos Kerkez

D (RL)

B'mouth

28

Games
0

Goals
1

Assists

Arsenal rotated the left-back slot between Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu last season, with Jurrien Timber injured and Kieran Tierney sent on loan to Real Sociedad.

Chelsea had to contend without Ben Chilwell due to injury while Marc Cucurella has failed to convince since his blockbuster move from Brighton.

Centre back Levi Colwill, meanwhile, was persuaded to cover the position at times last term. Two other left backs, Ian Maatsen and Lewis Hall, were moved out to Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle respectively, with the former in talks with Aston Villa over a permanent transfer.