Chelsea and Manchester United have emerged as potential suitors for Bournemouth’s promising defender, Milos Kerkez, in the upcoming summer transfer window. The 20-year-old, who joined Bournemouth from Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar prior to the 2023-24 season, has showcased notable performances for the South Coast club during the current campaign.
Establishing himself as the primary choice for the left-back position at the Vitality Stadium, Kerkez has featured prominently in 21 Premier League matches under the management of Andoni Iraola, contributing with a single assist. Additionally, his international experience includes representing Hungary on 13 occasions since his debut for the national team in May 2022.
According to reports from The Mirror, both Chelsea, under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino, and Manchester United, managed by Erik ten Hag, are expressing keen interest in securing Kerkez’s services ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Chelsea, currently undergoing a period of restructuring following a challenging debut season under Pochettino, are positioned 11th in the Premier League standings and recently suffered defeat in the EFL Cup final against Liverpool. Consequently, the club is purportedly planning significant reinforcements during the summer, with a focus on bolstering their defensive lineup.
Having dispatched scouts to observe Kerkez in action for Bournemouth, Chelsea is particularly interested in addressing potential gaps in the left-back position, given the likely departure of Marc Cucurella at the end of the season. Cucurella, who has seen limited playing time under Pochettino, is reportedly being pursued by clubs in Saudi Arabia at the behest of Chelsea owner Todd Boehly.
Meanwhile, Manchester United, cognizant of Luke Shaw’s recurring injury woes, is also eyeing reinforcements for the left side of their defense in the upcoming transfer window. Both clubs are closely monitoring Kerkez’s progress, recognizing his potential to strengthen their respective squads for the forthcoming campaign.