Romano: Liverpool ‘advancing’ for next transfer after Frimpong; he’s ‘open and happy to join’

Liverpool’s summer rebuild under new head coach Arne Slot is gathering momentum, with trusted transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealing that the club is moving forward in its pursuit of another exciting signing. Following the imminent arrival of Dutch right-back Jeremie Frimpong, the Reds have now turned their attention to the opposite flank—and talks are heating up.

According to Romano, Liverpool are in advanced negotiations with Bournemouth over the potential transfer of Milos Kerkez, a rising star in the Premier League. The 21-year-old Hungarian left-back has impressed fans and pundits alike with his tenacious defending and attacking flair, making him a standout performer for the Cherries last season.

Frimpong’s deal appears all but complete after Romano gave his trademark ‘here we go’ confirmation. The 24-year-old underwent a medical on Merseyside earlier this week, and official confirmation from the club now seems only a matter of time. With that business nearing completion, Liverpool’s recruitment team, led by new sporting director Richard Hughes, is wasting no time shifting focus.

In a video update on his YouTube channel, Romano stated that Liverpool are “advancing in talks” with both Bournemouth and Kerkez’s camp. Importantly, he confirmed that the player is eager to make the move: “Kerkez would be open and happy to join Liverpool,” Romano reported. Personal terms, including salary and contract duration, are reportedly close to being finalized.

However, Bournemouth are expected to drive a hard bargain. Having recently sold young defender Dean Huijsen for a reported £50 million, the south coast club is in no rush to cash in on their valuable assets. As such, they are holding firm on their valuation of Kerkez, which could exceed £45 million. Negotiations between the clubs are ongoing, and progress is expected over the coming days.

Liverpool’s interest in Kerkez comes at a pivotal moment for the team’s defensive structure. Long-serving left-back Andy Robertson, now 31, has shown signs of slowing down, and backup option Kostas Tsimikas has been linked with a summer move to Leeds United. With both players’ futures in question, a younger and dynamic alternative like Kerkez could be exactly what Slot needs to refresh the squad.

The Hungarian international’s performances last season were eye-catching enough to earn praise from Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, who included Kerkez in his Premier League Team of the Season. Neville described the left-back as “sensational,” a testament to just how impactful he was in his debut campaign in English football.

Liverpool fans will hope that Kerkez can replicate that form at Anfield. His style of play—a blend of defensive resilience, rapid recovery speed, and an eye for overlapping runs—aligns perfectly with Slot’s philosophy, which emphasizes attacking full-backs and high-intensity pressing. Signing a young full-back with years of potential ahead of him could prove to be a masterstroke.

The reported £45m fee, while steep, should be considered an investment. If Kerkez maintains his current trajectory, Liverpool could be securing a left-back for the next decade. It’s a move that would send a message: the Reds aren’t just rebuilding—they’re planning for sustained long-term success.

Should Hughes and Slot manage to wrap up deals for both Frimpong and Kerkez early in the window, it would mark an impressive start to the Dutchman’s era in charge. A reinvigorated Liverpool backline featuring two of Europe’s most promising young full-backs would provide a strong foundation for a title challenge in the 2025/26 season.

As Romano put it, talks are moving forward and now it’s up to Liverpool and Bournemouth to finalize the club-to-club agreement. Fans will be watching closely, hoping for another “here we go” moment in the coming days.