Liverpool have been one of the busiest clubs in the transfer window so far, and their next expected signing was seemingly confirmed rather prematurely by Gary Lineker on his podcast
Gary Lineker went a little early in claiming Liverpool have already completed the signing of Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, despite the club not making any announcements as yet. The Hungarian defender looks all set for a move to Anfield.
Almost one year on from only completing the signing of Federico Chiesa in his first transfer window, Arne Slot has overseen a spectacular spending spree so far in June. Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong has since been followed to Merseyside by Florian Wirtz in a British record deal worth up to £116m.
The German international's arrival at Liverpool was officially confirmed on Friday evening by the club after weeks of negotiations. And it has been made clear that Kerkez is edging towards Liverpool too, in a deal which will be worth around £40m.
The left-back is expected to undergo a medical next week. However, Lineker seemingly jumped the gun while speaking on his podcast in regard to the state of Kerkez's move.
On Sunday's episode of The Rest is Football, Lineker said: "Liverpool have been impressive so far with the signings they have done.
"They have just completed Florian Wirtz for £116m, that’s a lot of dough, from Bayer Leverkusen, but he’s a wonderfully talented player.
"Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth for around £40m. They join Jeremie Frimpong, who signed a couple of weeks ago, all three worth just under £200m.”
While the odds would suggest that Kerkez's move to Liverpool is as good as done, many transfers in the past have collapsed in the final stages. In fact, if Kerkez's move to Anfield was to fall through with a medical still to come, it would not be the first time this has happened to the Reds.
In the summer of 2018, Liverpool fans were left crestfallen when the £58.5m arrival of Lyon midfielder Nabil Fekir collapsed at the last minute. A fee had been agreed for the Frenchman and the Merseysiders had even agreed personal terms with the midfielder, who was being viewed as the long-term replacement for Philippe Coutinho.
However, a knee issue spotted in the medical resulted in the move falling through. That has been disputed, though, as Fekir has previously spoken about the strange saga, claiming he passed his medical and that he did not understand why the move could not be completed.
Liverpool supporters will certainly be hoping Lineker's confident statement has not jinxed a move for Kerkez, who contributed two goals and six assists in 38 Premier League appearances from left-back last season.
His arrival would take Liverpool's spending north of the £200m mark if goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is included in this year's figures, which is said to be the case despite a deal being agreed with Valencia last summer.
It's also believed the Reds are not near to being finished with their activity in the summer transfer window.
They have also been linked with huge moves for Crystal Palace central defender Marc Guehi and Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak. Reports from The Telegraph claim Slot's side would love to sign the latter, who contributed 23 Premier League goals and six assists in 34 appearances last season.