Liverpool transfer target Milos Kerkez leaves team camp as statement released

Liverpool are in advanced talks to sign Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, who has been on international duty with Hungary this week

Hungary have released Liverpool target Milos Kerkez from their international camp as his move to Anfield inches closer. Earlier this week, boss Marco Rossi revealed that Kerkez would not be available to feature in a friendly against Sweden on Friday, however, the Italian did not go into details when discussing the 21-year-old's situation. Hungary have now released a statement explaining that the Bournemouth left-back will not be available to face Azerbaijan next week.

It read: "Milos Kerkez left the men's A-team training camp in Telk for private reasons, so he will not travel with the team to Baku, the venue of the match against Azerbaijan."

Kerkez was at Hungary's training base in Budapest on Thursday but did not train with his colleagues. It's understood that given talks over a move to Liverpool are now advanced, neither club wants to run the risk of an injury that could potentially scupper the move.

Liverpool are set to hold a final meeting with the Cherries in the coming days to thrash out the last details of an agreement. The final package is expected to reach between £40million to £45m inclusive of add-ons.

Arne Slot's Premier League champions have made Kerkez their priority left-back target as they seek to strengthen their backline following the departure of right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. Reds sporting director Richard Hughes was the man that brought Kerkez to the Premier League with Bournemouth in 2023. Last week, the Hungarian international appeared to indicate he was heading for the exit door at the Vitality Stadium, posting on social media: "I don't know what will happen in the next week but Cherries family thank you!"

Liverpool also remain in ongoing talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a potential British-record deal for Florian Wirtz. Their latest bid, submitted in the past 48 hours, is worth £113m - £110m upfront with around £13m in bonuses.

However, it's understood Leverkusen are holding out for a whopping £126.4m (€150m) deal but Liverpool are reluctant to go as high as that figure.

Nonetheless, there is still a chance the final agreement could surpass the British-record £115m fee Chelsea paid Brighton for Moises Caicedo in the summer of 2023 when Liverpool were narrowly pipped to a deal by the Blues. The Reds have already completed the signing of Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong after Liverpool triggered his £29.5m release clause. Anfield chiefs also helped Leverkusen land Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken after agreeing to sell Caoimhin Kelleher to the Bees for £18m.