Champions Liverpool will host AFC Bournemouth on the opening day of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
The Reds cruised to their second ever title last season during Arne Slot’s first campaign in charge, and the Dutchman’s side will welcome the Cherries to Anfield on Friday 15 August.
Other notable matches on the opening weekend include newly-promoted Sunderland hosting West Ham United, and Manchester United facing Arsenal at Old Trafford.
With the start of the new season still almost two months away, it appears that one current member of the Bournemouth squad could face the Cherries on the opening day.
According to Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook, Liverpool are set to complete the signing of Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez next week.
Kerkez is set to join Liverpool (Photo: News Images LTD/Alamy)
The journalist claims that the Premier League champions are set to sign the Hungarian defender for a fee of £40 million.
Kerkez, 21, would become Liverpool’s second signing of the summer after the arrival of full-back Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen.
Jacobs claims that only small details of the deal are outstanding, with the move likely to be finalised next week.
Kerkez joined Bournemouth from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in 2023, having previously spent time with AC Milan’s youth setup.
The left-back has since made 74 appearances for the south coast side, scoring twice and registering eight assists.
The Hungary international was particularly impressive last season, helping Andoni Iraola’s side to challenge for Europa Conference League qualification and ultimately secure a top-ten finish in the Premier League.
Kerkez is under contract with Bournemouth until 2028, but it appears almost certain that he will instead join the reigning Premier League champions this summer.