Liverpool are set for a busy summer transfer window but their pursuit of Bournemouth star Milos Kerkez has hit major issues as they push to sign the Bournemouth star
Liverpool are set for an active summer transfer window as they bid to defend their Premier League title. Having failed to make a major signing last summer, boss Arne Slot is set to see his squad boost this time around.
The £29.5million move for Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong is progressing, with the right-back expected to arrive at Anfield. Frimpong will battle it out with Conor Bradley to become Trent Alexander-Arnold's replacement next season.
The Reds have also been looking to boost their options on the opposite side of defence. Their prime target has been Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez, who has impressed for the Cherries over the last two seasons.
But a move for the 21-year-old has not hit a major stumbling block, with a rival emerging onto the scene. Elsewhere, several players could be heading out of the exit door, including Luis Diaz.
But heavily linked Barcelona have now been told not to push ahead with a move for the Colombian. Here, Mirror Football rounds up all the latest Liverpool transfer news.
Kerkez problem emerges
A major stumbling block has emerged in Liverpool's pursuit of Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez. The Hungarian has become the Reds' top left-back target as they search for a successor to Andy Robertson.
Kerkez is interested in a move to Anfield and talks have been held between Liverpool chiefs and his representatives. But according to iNews, the Reds are yet to submit an official bid for the 21-year-old.
That has opened the door to Premier League rivals Manchester City. Pep Guardiola is also keen on Kerkez, with City having made enquires about the possibility of signing him to emerge as genuine rivals.
Barca warned off Diaz
Barcelona have been warned off pursuing a deal for Liverpool star Luis Diaz this summer. The La Liga champions have long been interested in the 28-year-old, but former Barca scot Bojan Krkic Snr believes a move for the Colombian would be a mistake.
“Luis Díaz is a great player, but he lacks consistent performance. If I were at Barça, I wouldn’t sign him. I followed him when he was at Porto and now at Liverpool," he said.
“He’s a player who does wonders for you, then disappears for three games, or in one game, he gives you a brutal half-hour and disappears. At Porto, he was even a substitute, and then at Liverpool, it’s also because of that.”
Reds close on wonderkid
Liverpool are closing in on signing Italian wonderkid Gioacchino Barranco from Palmero. Barranco has impressed for the Serie A side's Under-19s this season, playing 22 times for their Primavera side.
Palmero are resigned to losing the 17-year-old this summer, with Liverpool the frontrunners. According to reports in Italy, the Reds are ready to make a move for him and could push through a deal this summer.
But they face strong competition from Atalanta and Torino, both of whom are also trying to close a deal. It seems certain that Barranco will be on the move, though his destination is up in the air.