Chelsea are likely to be busy in the summer transfer window as Enzo Maresca looks to get his Stamford Bridge tenure off to a flyer.
The Blues struggled in mid-table for much of the 2023/24 Premier League season before rallying round and finishing sixth.
With Chelsea set for the Europa Conference League, they’ll also have additional workload and, as such, need more strength in depth.
The Blues are reportedly looking to bolster their ranks in a number of positions over the coming months.
As per a report from The Telegraph in May, Chelsea are on the lookout for a left-back, a centre-back, a forward and perhaps even a goalkeeper.
Now, Fabrizio Romano has described one defender said to be on the Blues radar as “one of the most interesting left-backs around Europe”.
The player in question is Brentford’s Milos Kerkez, who has been a sensation in west London this season.
Back in February, TBR Football revealed that Chelsea were tracking his progress this season, and are long-term admirers of the 20-year-old.
Now, Romano has reiterated those claims, telling CaughtOffside that the Blues have been scouting Kerkez.
What has Fabrizio Romano said about Chelsea and Milos Kerkez?
However, the transfer insider warned that Manchester United are also on the Kerkez case this summer, and stressed that the player won’t come cheap.
“I wanted to mention Milos Kerkez,” began Romano.
“A very good talent and one of the most interesting left-backs around Europe, doing very well after a fantastic season, making a great impact in the Premier League with Bournemouth.
“We already said in February, in March, that Man United were looking at left backs, and Milos Kerkez is one of the players they appreciate for that position.
“He’s not the only one, but is one of the options they are discussing internally and could be a solution for the summer transfer window.
“Also, Chelsea have scouted him, but at the moment there’s no direct contact.
“Let me say that Bournemouth would ask for big, big money. They consider him a top player so it’s not going to be an easy deal.”
Who is Chelsea target Milos Kerkez?
Milos Kerkez is a Hungary international who plies his trade at left-back but can also play at left-wing.
He progressed through the youth ranks at several clubs across Europe, including AC Milan, before joining Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar in January 2022.
Just 18 months later, Bournemouth snapped Kerkez up in a deal reportedly worth £15.5 million, and he has gone from strength to strength in the Premier League.
Kerkez has won 15 caps for Hungary and played a key role in helping the 1954 and 1974 World Cup finalists reach Euro 2024.
His manager at international level, Marco Rossi, previously described the reported Chelsea target as an aggressive and fast player.
“In a good sense, Milos is a particularly aggressive and fast player, so I don’t think he’ll have any problems with the style of play typical of the Premier League,” Rossi said, as per MLSZ.