Manchester United are destined for disappointment in their pursuit of Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, who reportedly favours a switch to Liverpool over the Red Devils.
The i Paper state that Liverpool, United and their crosstown rivals Manchester City have “already started to make contact with the player’s representatives.”
But Ruben Amorim, and indeed the beleaguered Pep Guardiola, will be frustrated by the claim that “the 21-year-old favours a move to Anfield over the Manchester clubs.”
The newspaper note that Liverpool have an advantage in the race in the form of director of football Richard Hughes.
Hughes brought the youngster to England from AZ Alkmaar during his time at Bournemouth, which is “understood to play a major part in the Hungary international’s thinking.”
As previously reported Bournemouth still “have no plans” to part ways with their left-back in January despite having just signed Julio Soler, who also plays in that position.
Unlike many Premier League clubs Bournemouth have no pressure to sell, but are understood to be “willing to do business” should an offer of around £50m materialise.
The report notes that while the three north-west giants have registered an interest in the player, there have been “no concrete proposals” from any of them.
United are in desperate need of a specialist wide defender to play the left wing-back role, which is one of the key positions in Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation.
With Luke Shaw remaining on the sidelines through injury, and Tyrell Malacia recently returning from the treatment table with signs of ring rustiness, Diogo Dalot has been filling in.
And while he has worked hard and turned in some decent displays, he is a clear weak link in a team which is starting to find some cohesion.
Kerkez has managed one goal and three assists in 22 appearances in all competitions this season, while Dalot has contributed two assists in 31 matches.
Should United fail to land Kerkez, The i Paper state Paris Saint-Germain left-back Nuno Mendes remains their “top pick”.
Featured image Nathan Stirk via Getty Images
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Joe Ponting
Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried.
