Milos Kerkez has rapidly established himself as Liverpool’s undisputed number one left-back since completing his move from Bournemouth in the summer of 2025. The Hungary international’s explosive form has shifted the defensive hierarchy at Anfield, leaving the futures of both Kostas Tsimikas and Andy Robertson hanging in the balance.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has already made his intentions clear with Tsimikas. The Greece international was sent out on loan to AS Roma for the entire 2025/26 campaign, and sources close to the club suggest it is increasingly difficult to envisage him playing for the Reds again. With Kerkez firmly entrenched, Slot is actively reshaping his left-back options ahead of the summer 2026 transfer window.
Robertson’s situation is even more precarious. The Scottish veteran is out of contract at the end of the current season, and his days at Anfield appear numbered. TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent Fraser Fletcher has revealed that Liverpool plan to offer Robertson a new one- or two-year deal as a gesture of goodwill. However, with Celtic and Tottenham Hotspur circling, the former captain may be reluctant to remain at Liverpool and play second fiddle to the younger, more dynamic Kerkez.
That reluctance has forced Liverpool into proactive replacement mode. According to Sport, the defending Premier League champions are already eyeing a major statement signing: Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde. The Spanish publication reports that Liverpool “could make a move for the Barca full-back if they sense an opportunity to leave,” and are prepared to explore the option alongside Manchester United.
The 22-year-old La Masia graduate has become a cornerstone of Hansi Flick’s Barcelona side. Balde’s pace, technical quality and attacking threat have made him one of Europe’s most coveted young left-backs. Yet Barcelona are not blind to their financial realities. Sport confirms the Catalan club “would be open to a move” for Balde should they receive a big enough offer — despite the player’s hefty €1 billion release clause (approximately £866m / $1.15bn).
No club is realistically expected to trigger that astronomical figure, but Barcelona will still demand a full auction. Mundo Deportivo adds that Manchester United, Manchester City and Aston Villa have already made enquiries, while interest from the Saudi Pro League has also surfaced. For now, Balde remains “steadfast in his desire to wear the Barca colours,” having shown no public indication of wanting to depart.
This is where Liverpool’s strategy becomes intriguing. Sport’s detailed analysis reveals Barcelona’s typical stance in such negotiations: the club will not take a proactive role in Balde’s potential exit. They will simply listen to offers, leaving the final decision to the player and his representatives. Any proceeds from a sale would represent pure profit for Barcelona, granting them “complete peace of mind” during the summer transfer window.
For Liverpool, the challenge is clear but not insurmountable: convincing Balde that Anfield offers a more compelling long-term project than remaining a squad player behind Gerard Martin and the soon-to-be-permanent Joao Cancelo at Barcelona. With Kerkez already locked in as the starter, the Reds are not merely shopping for backup — they are targeting a Spanish superstar capable of challenging for the starting berth and elevating the entire left flank.
The €1 billion clause may dominate headlines, but in modern football it functions more as a deterrent than a deal-breaker. Liverpool’s willingness to explore the option, combined with Barcelona’s openness to a profitable sale, suggests the groundwork is already being laid. Robertson’s replacement is not just a possibility — it is rapidly becoming the most logical and ambitious next step in Arne Slot’s squad evolution.
This summer, Liverpool are not waiting for uncertainty to dictate their destiny. They are flipping the table, targeting one of Europe’s brightest young talents, and signalling that no price tag — no matter how inflated — will stand in the way of strengthening a position that has defined their success for years. The Balde pursuit is on. And if the stars align, Anfield could soon welcome its next Spanish superstar.