Sky: Trouble for INEOS as LFC are now ‘pursuing’ United’s ‘explosive’ Premier League target

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·27 November 2024

Sky: Trouble for INEOS as LFC are now ‘pursuing’ United’s ‘explosive’ Premier League target

Losing out on a transfer target to a major rival always proves as a considerable blow to any club, but when it’s between Manchester United and Liverpool, it leaves a particularly sour taste.

That may well happen in 2025 if their recent pursuit comes to fruition as, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, both the Reds and Liverpool are targeting Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez.

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Viewed as an ideal successor to Luke Shaw – and in Arne Slot’s case, to Andy Robertson – the 21-year-old has found himself on the shortlist of the two most successful clubs in England. However, only the Merseyside outfit are ‘pursuing him’ as it stands.

It’s not the first time United have been linked with Kerkez, either. Back in the summer, numerous outlets had detailed the club’s desire to bring the ‘explosive’ fullback to Old Trafford, but with Bournemouth demanding upwards of £38 million to even consider sanctioning his exit, the board began to look elsewhere.

Kerkez identified to put a definitive end to United’s left-back woes

(Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Ultimately, a fullback was acquired in the form of Noussair Mazraoui – albeit not a natural left-back, despite Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia entering the campaign injured. As such, scouts remain scouring the market for an out-and-out left-sided addition to occupy the position alongside the injury-prone duo – with the intention that he eventually makes the role his own.

There’s little to no chance that the Cherries will sanction Kerkez’s exit midway through the term, which gives the Red Devils several months to decide whether they’ll go toe-to-toe with their rivals in pursuit of him next summer.

Until then, Ruben Amorim will be crossing his fingers that Shaw can retain his fitness and, therefore, be relied on for as many consecutive matches as possible. Fans won’t be holding out too much hope for that being the case, though.