“He’s Ours Now” – Man City Make Late Move to Snatch £45m Target from Liverpool’s Grasp
Manchester City’s narrow 2-1 win over Aston Villa has reignited their hopes of securing a Champions League spot for next season and reaffirmed their status as frontrunners to lift the FA Cup. Although their domestic campaign hasn’t matched the intensity and brilliance of Liverpool’s title charge, there’s still plenty at stake for Pep Guardiola’s side as the season nears its climax.
While Liverpool edge closer to a historic Premier League triumph under the guidance of Arne Slot, Manchester City remain a club with immense pulling power, especially with Champions League qualification and silverware still within reach. For players seeking a winning culture and top-level football, the Etihad remains an alluring destination.
And though Arne Slot has done a commendable job in his debut season at Anfield—taking over from the hugely successful Jurgen Klopp—there is an argument that no manager in Premier League history boasts a trophy cabinet as illustrious as Pep Guardiola’s. His track record speaks volumes, and it continues to play a crucial role in attracting top-tier talent to Manchester.
City and Liverpool Go Head-to-Head for Milos Kerkez
This summer promises to be a transfer showdown between City and Liverpool, with both clubs reportedly targeting similar profiles. One of the most prominent names in that regard is AFC Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, the Hungarian left-back who is emerging as a key target for both Guardiola and Slot.
Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas has confirmed that Manchester City, Liverpool, and even Real Madrid are closely monitoring the 21-year-old, who is expected to make a decision on his future in the coming weeks. Despite competition from some of Europe’s elite, Kerkez is believed to be prioritising a move where he can play a central role, rather than being a rotational option.
With Manchester City currently relying on Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake to fill in at left-back—both of whom are naturally centre-backs—Guardiola’s insistence that the club has enough depth in defence might be slightly misleading. What City arguably lack is a specialist in the left-back role, and that’s where Kerkez comes in. His style, characterised by energy, overlapping runs, and dangerous deliveries, has drawn comparisons to Liverpool’s Andy Robertson.
Why Kerkez Could Be a Game-Changer for Phil Foden
A signing like Milos Kerkez would not only plug a gap in City’s backline but could also unlock new dimensions in their attack. One player who could benefit significantly from his arrival is Phil Foden.
Foden, who has played multiple roles under Guardiola, might find a more defined place in the team as an inside forward on the left flank. With Kerkez bombing forward and stretching the opposition defence, Foden would have more freedom to drift inside and link up with the midfield and strikers—an approach similar to what Gvardiol enabled last season with his overlapping runs.
This tactical shift could reignite Foden’s form and create a lethal combination on the left side of City’s attack. It’s also worth noting that Guardiola is reportedly maintaining contact with Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, and City’s interest in Morgan Gibbs-White is being closely followed by Hugo Viana. Should City secure one or two new attacking midfielders, having Foden operate in a more advanced and fluid role might become essential.
Liverpool Prioritise Kerkez, But City’s Project Remains Tempting
Liverpool are believed to have made Kerkez one of their top targets for the summer, especially with Andy Robertson entering his 30s and the need to start planning for the future. However, Manchester City’s interest could complicate matters. Not only do they offer Champions League football and domestic dominance, but under Guardiola, young players like Kerkez often evolve into world-class performers.
Valued at around £45 million, Kerkez is Premier League-tested, physically robust, lightning-fast, and possesses excellent crossing ability. For a City side that thrives on fluidity and width, his signing would represent both a strategic upgrade and a long-term investment.
As the summer window draws closer, expect a fierce tug-of-war between England’s top two clubs for the highly-rated Hungarian defender one that could shape both squads for years to come.
