Arsenal Eye £40m Premier League Star Open to January Transfer

While the Gunners have been performing well offensively, scoring 13 goals in their last three matches, defensive vulnerabilities have surfaced this season, prompting manager Mikel Arteta to consider bolstering his backline. Arsenal’s strong defensive record last season, conceding only 29 goals, has not been matched this term, fueling speculation about potential reinforcements.

Arsenal have already been linked to other defensive targets, including Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande and Barcelona’s Jules Kounde. The addition of a full-back like Kerkez could provide further stability to the squad, complementing their current defensive lineup of Gabriel and William Saliba.

Kerkez, who joined Bournemouth in 2023 and has since become a first-team regular, is reportedly attracting interest from several top clubs. Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, and Aston Villa are also monitoring the Hungarian international’s availability. Bournemouth would seek a fee around £40 million for the player if they decide to sell.

Former teammate Mathew Ryan praised Kerkez’s qualities, stating:

“Milos is a great boy… aggressive, powerful, and with a unique skill set. Bournemouth will grow stronger because of him. He still has a great career ahead of him.”

NBC Sports analyst Robbie Mustoe has also lauded Kerkez as one of the Premier League’s best left-backs.

Despite the growing interest in Kerkez, Arsenal already have options at left-back, including Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori, which could make a move for the Bournemouth star less urgent. However, given his potential and Arteta’s desire to strengthen the squad, this situation remains one to watch as the January transfer window approaches.