Manchester United have had a lot of trouble at left-back this past season and are expected to be in the market for another this summer.
Tyrell Malacia was supposed to be Manchester United’s fix for Luke Shaw’s ongoing injury troubles.
This past season, Malacia endured his own injury nightmare, failing to make a single matchday squad. All this did was shine a closer spotlight on Shaw, who suffered four separate injuries and did not play a single game after mid-February.
Next season, United will feel like they can’t rely on either. Additional cover is required, and one promising name is already being touted.
Milos Kerkez to Manchester United
Manchester United could look to Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez. This possibility was cited by Ben Jacobs in an interview The United Stand back in February.
Now as we head into the transfer window, Fabrizio Romano insists Manchester United’s interest in the 20-year-old is genuine.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano says Kerkez is one of the most fascinating players in his position on the continent.
He said: “Milos Kerkez, very good talent, one of the most interesting left-backs around Europe. There is interest.”
He adds that there is a warning for Manchester United, commenting: “Bournemouth would really ask for big, big money for him. It’s not going to be an easy one.”
This tends to be common for clubs when Manchester United come calling. The Cherries do have their reasons, however.
Kerkez has only been at the club for one year, after signing from Dutch club AZ Alkmaar. They are determined to keep hold of highly rated coach Andoni Iraola, and won’t want to sell one of his key players so quickly.
Romano added on X: “Manchester United will bring in new left back for sure this summer… Milos Kerkez, one of the players being monitored for that position. No talks yet but appreciated.”
How much Bournemouth paid for Kerkez
Bournemouth paid just £15.5 million for Milos Kerkez last summer, per the Echo. It was a bargain fee – slightly more than the amount United paid for Tyrell Malacia a year earlier.
The Malacia deal was looking good after one season, but then disaster struck with his injuries.
While this doesn’t make Malacia’s future a ‘write-off’, he also needs to earn some trust back, and could even be loaned out if United sign another left-back, or simply stay as cover.
Kerkez is a very exciting player, but its unclear how much United plan to spend on a left-back.
Striker, centre-back and midfield are expected to be priorities. Left-back is also in there – but its not a position where the club will want to invest huge money.
Bournemouth’s demands could price United out the hunt for his signature, for this summer at least.