liverpool transfer for Milos Kerkez hits snag as Bournemouth doubts emerge
Bournemouth have reportedly identified Marseille left-back Quentin Merlin as a potential replacement for Milos Kerkez. Liverpool are currently leading the race for the Hungarian, who is also on the radar of Manchester City and Real Madrid, with talks underway for a transfer that could cost the Reds up to £45million.
The Cherries are eager to bring Merlin to the Vitality Stadium, but the player has reservations about the move after helping Marseille secure a Champions League spot, according to the Mirror. The 23-year-old is due to represent France in the U21 European Championships in Slovakia this summer and is not considering a club switch at present.
Andoni Iraola’s team do have other targets in mind, with Bournemouth’s president of football operations, Tiago Pinto, already making enquiries about Real Madrid’s Fran Garcia and Wolves’ Hugo Bueno, who has spent the season on loan at Feyenoord.
Marseille are open to letting Merlin go for the right price, although a deal seems unlikely at this stage. Adrien Truffert of Stade Rennes has also been scouted.
Man Utd stars take action to stop Bruno Fernandes leaving and fear club could ‘fall apart’
Manchester United stars are desperate for Bruno Fernandes to stay.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has reportedly been begged to stay by his desperate team-mates. Links with Saudi Arabia have intensified with the Red Devils needing to cash in on some of their high earners this summer.
Fernandes is widely understood to have a lucrative offer on the table from Saudi club Al-Hilal. Some reports claim that the midfielder is seriously weighing up whether to ditch the chaos at Old Trafford and accept a proposal reported to be in the region of £700,000 per week. United may also consider whether selling Fernandes could provide the cash boost needed to overhaul Ruben Amorim’s struggling squad, whose dreadful campaign was compounded by their defeat against Tottenham in the Europa League final.
Some United players are said to have been concerned by Fernandes’ comments after the game. He said about his future: “If the club thinks it’s time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in, it is what it is.”
According to The Sun, stars have even begged Fernandes to stay over fears that the atmosphere and conduct in the dressing room would completely collapse. A source said: “Bruno may be criticised but the players know what a talent he is. He can be demanding but they all respect him and sent him messages letting him know how valued he is. If he leaves, the dressing room would fall apart.”
