Liverpool advance talks for Bournemouth's Kerkez

The Premier League champions are not done yet in the defensive department. After Jeremie Frimpong, set to join from Bayer Leverkusen to fill in for Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, Liverpool also seem to be looking for someone for the opposite flank.

According to Nicolo Schira, Matteo Moretto and Florian Plettenberg, Milos Kerkez has been identified as the ideal candidate for the left-back position. Works are underway at Liverpool to get the deal done for the Cherries defender, who is reportedly keen on the move.

It is understood that the deal is progressing positively for the Reds, with both club-to-club and club-to-player negotiations advancing. Kerkez has impressed in the English top flight this term, registering two goals and five assists from 36 appearances so far.

Earlier reports linked the 21-year-old with a potential move to Real Madrid, which would be their second of the season after Dean Huijen joined from Bournemouth. Nevertheless, Los Blancos seem to have Benfica's Alvaro Carreras at the top of their priority list over Kerkez.

Liverpool's pursuit of Kerkez underlines a major defensive overhaul ahead of the upcoming season. With Konstantinos Tsimikas not ensuring safety when covering for starter Andy Robertson, Arne Slot looks ready to boost his squad ahead of next term's title defence.