Liverpool 'likely' to bid for Premier League defender as transfer battle emerges

Liverpool are moving closer to a return to Premier League action following the final international break of the calendar year. The Reds will face Southampton this weekend as they look to continue their impressive start to the season.

Arne Slot's side are top of the Premier League table as well as at the top of the Champions League standings. Liverpool will now face a busy run of fixtures over Christmas and the New Year in the build-up to the January transfer window.

Rumours are already swirling about the potential transfer business that Liverpool may look to complete when the window reopens. It remains to be seen if the Reds will decide to add any new faces to their squad for the second half of the season.

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The ECHO takes a look at some of the latest Liverpool news and transfer gossip that has emerged over the last 24 hours.

Reports have claimed that Liverpool are interested in signing Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez. According to TEAMtalk, the Reds have a "genuine" interest in signing the Cherries left-back in 2025.

The report claims that Liverpool are "likely" to submit a bid to sign Kerkez next summer, with Bournemouth setting an asking price of £40 million before the start of the season. It remains to be seen if the Cherries will increase the price tag for the 21-year-old before the end of the campaign.

Liverpool will also reportedly face competition from Manchester United for the signing of Kerkez. It has also been claimed that Bournemouth are expecting Kerkez to leave the club at the end of the season.

Elsewhere, Liverpool will reportedly face extra competition in the race to sign Red Star Belgrade midfielder Andrija Maksimovic. The Reds have previously been credited with an interest in signing the 17-year-old next year.

Now a fresh report has claimed that Juventus have joined the race to sign Maksimovic. According to Tutto Juve, the Serie A giants have joined Liverpool and several other clubs looking to sign the talented midfielder next summer.

The report claims that Maksimovic could be available for around €5 million (£4.2 million). As well as Juventus, Liverpool will also reportedly battle Manchester City and Chelsea for the signing of Maksimovic in 2025.