Manchester United keen on signing Liverpool target but cannot afford to pay £40 million - Reports 

Manchester United are reportedly keen on signing Liverpool target Milos Kerkez in January, as reported by TEAMtalk. The Red Devils, however, do not have £40 million to secure the Bournemouth left-back's services.

Ruben Amorim is understood to be desperate to land a new left-back, with his current two options Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia being injury-prone. The two have played just 339 minutes of football across competitions between them this season.

Manchester United are long-term admirers of Kerkez, even before Sir Jim Ratcliffe's minority acquisition of the club. Liverpool and Chelsea have also been heavily linked with the Hungarian for a while now.

Kerkez has been excellent for Bournemouth since his reported £15.5 million move from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2023. The bombarding left-back has made 53 appearances for the Cherries thus far and has established himself as one of the hottest properties in Europe.

The Hungary international has shown that he is capable going forward as well as tracking back. The youngster has one goal and three assists in 20 Premier League games this season, playing a key role in Bournemouth's solid season.

The Cherries are in no mood to entertain an offer for one of their key players in the middle of the season. Andoni Iraola's side are seventh on the league table with 33 points in 20 games and Kerkez has been a pivotal figure behind their impressive form.

TEAMtalk further claimed that the Cherries could sell Kerkez if their asking price of £40 million is matched by any club. However, Manchester United are understood to not be in a position where they can afford to pay the asking price of the Liverpool target.

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Liverpool manager Arne Slot opens up on Trent Alexander-Arnold's poor showing against Manchester United

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has acknowledged that Trent Alexander-Arnold did not have the best game of his life against Manchester United on Sunday (January 5). The Merseyside giants had to settle for a 2-2 draw against the struggling Red Devils at Anfield.

Alexander-Arnold was criticized by the fans and pundits for his poor showing against Ruben Amorim's side. Manchester United had plenty of joy down his flank as the Real Madrid target lost his marker time and again.

Ahead of the Reds' EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday (January 8), Arne Slot opened up about Alexander-Arnold's poor display. He said (as quoted by Liverpool Echo):

"We were all disappointed by the way we played and the result. Not just Trent. He didn't play his best game but it's not the first time in his life. He's played so many games well for this club. [Same as] some others. They know if you play 50/60 games [in a season]... once in a while, you don't have the best performance. Maybe we should highlight more that these players are able to play so many."

The Dutchman added:

"Yeah, I have. It's normal. I don't share things I talk about. After every game, we show them how well they did. Sometimes you have to show what they can improve, but I don't just do this with Trent. Look at [Alexis Mac Allister], he can sprint harder for second goal. But they have all worked very hard, gave everything and we still got a result."

Alexander-Arnold has been excellent for the Merseyside giants this season with one goal and five assists in 24 games. The 26-year-old's current deal at Anfield expires this summer and he has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.