Reds remain confident of sealing Kerkez deal

LIVERPOOL remain confident of striking a deal for Milos Kerkez as talks with Bournemouth continue over the £45million-rated defender.

- By PAUL GORST

The Reds stepped up their efforts to land the Hungary left-back last week and are now in direct dialogue with the Cherries but are yet to make a formal offer, it is understood.

Bournemouth are currently out on the east coast of the United States, on an end-of-season break, but sporting director Simon Francis remains in touch with his predecessor Richard Hughes, who has been leading the talks over the deal for Kerkez with his former employers.

Hughes and Francis share a good relationship and the talks over an agreement for Kerkez are cordial as Liverpool continue to put the building blocks in place for a defence of their Premier League title next term.

The Cherries rate their left-back at £45m but Liverpool are keen to bring down the valuation for a player who joined from AZ Alkmaar for around £17m less than two years ago as a 19-year-old.