Miloš Kerkez (foto: Uradni Twitter profil kluba/zveze)
Manchester United eyes Miloš Kerkez as a €40M target to solve their left-back issues, but Bournemouth’s asking price poses a challenge.
Miloš Kerkez, a 22-year-old Hungarian international and Bournemouth left-back, has emerged as a priority target for Manchester United, according to TEAMtalk. Struggling in a disappointing season, United is looking to strengthen their options on the left flank, currently shared by Diogo Dalot, Tyrell Malacia, and Luke Shaw.
Newly appointed manager Ruben Amorim sees Kerkez as the perfect fit for his system, which relies heavily on wing-backs in a three-center-back formation. However, Bournemouth’s asking price of €40 million for Kerkez, one of the most promising young full-backs in Europe, might prove to be a stumbling block.
Kerkez’s journey to international football is as intriguing as his rapid rise in the sport. Born in Vrbas, Serbia, Kerkez began playing for the local Hajduk Kula. Despite coming from a predominantly Serbian family, he chose to represent Hungary, honoring a promise he made to his Hungarian grandmother from Vojvodina.
"Serbia never called me. Hungary gave me a chance at 15, and they’ve shown me great respect. That’s something I’ll never forget, and I want to repay it tenfold," Kerkez said in a past interview.
Kerkez’s journey has not been without its challenges. At 9 years old, he joined Rapid Vienna but left due to behavioral issues. According to his father, Sebastijan Kerkez, Rapid struggled to handle Miloš’s lack of discipline. However, Kerkez’s commitment to improving his game and his work ethic eventually helped him overcome those early hurdles.
Kerkez moved to Győr in Hungary before making a big leap to AC Milan in early 2021 after being scouted by Paolo Maldini. While he mostly played in the youth setup, he trained alongside stars like Zlatan Ibrahimović and Theo Hernández, whom he credits for inspiring his development.
Seeking more first-team opportunities, Kerkez joined AZ Alkmaar in 2022, where he became a regular starter after the departure of Owen Wijndal to Ajax. His performances in the Eredivisie attracted significant interest, leading to a €17 million transfer to Bournemouth in the summer of 2023.