Liverpool deal falls through, as alternative transfer swiftly receives ‘here we go’ confirmation

A much-anticipated move for Andy Robertson to Atletico Madrid is now officially off the table, and in its place, a fresh £17 million deal has rapidly materialized — with knock-on effects that could shape Liverpool’s defensive lineup going forward.

KERKEZ IN, ROBERTSON OUT? NOT QUITE.

Liverpool’s summer spending has now breached the £200 million mark, with Milos Kerkez officially unveiled on Thursday. The highly rated Hungarian international, just 21 years old, joins from Bournemouth for a fee of £40 million and has signed a five-year contract.

This move, of course, raised immediate questions about the future of Andy Robertson. The veteran left-back, now 31, endured a patchy season and has just one year left on his current deal. Behind the scenes, there’s been a growing sense that his days as a top-tier starter could be behind him.

Sources close to the club tell us that Robertson had started warming to the idea of leaving Anfield in search of regular game time. And it looked like Atletico Madrid were ready to offer him just that — they entered the picture and held positive talks with the Scotland international.

But there was a catch.

Atletico were hoping to negotiate either a free transfer or a nominal fee, expecting perhaps a sentimental gesture from Liverpool given Robertson’s incredible service. But make no mistake — Liverpool are not in the charity business. Club sources made it clear: if Robertson was to go, it would be on Liverpool’s terms.

“RUGGERI INSTEAD” — DEAL CONFIRMED

With no agreement in sight, Fabrizio Romano broke the news late last night that Atletico Madrid have now pivoted to a different target:

“The Italian left wing-back, Matteo Ruggeri, leaves Atalanta and joins Atletico Madrid,” said Romano on his YouTube channel. “He will be in Madrid in the next hours for medical tests and contract signing. New left-back for Diego Simeone, total package worth €20m.”

And perhaps most significantly:

“We don’t expect Andy Robertson to go to Atletico Madrid anymore. He was a strong candidate, there were concrete conversations, but Atletico wanted to pay a very small fee — that was not possible. Liverpool wanted their conditions respected.”

According to Romano, the Spanish club ultimately chose to go with a younger profile altogether. Ruggeri, at 22, is five years Robertson’s junior.

THREE INTO ONE DOESN’T GO

Liverpool’s interest in Kerkez was no sudden decision. According to TEAMtalk, the Reds had been tracking him long before the winter window and made him their priority for the left-back role.

But with Kerkez now locked in, that leaves Liverpool with three senior left-backs — an unsustainable number by any metric. Since Robertson now appears to be staying, the most likely departure is Kostas Tsimikas.

Ian Darke, well-known commentator and pundit, shared his view on the situation with Liverpool News:

“I’m not sure what the inside track is within the club, but you would think that with Milos Kerkez’s signing from Bournemouth, it will be him and Robertson competing for the position.”

“So yes, it does look like [Tsimikas] would become surplus to requirements… I think he is the kind of player who would be a good signing for one of the promoted clubs.”

LOOKING AHEAD

Should Tsimikas depart this summer and Robertson follow him out the door when his contract expires in 2026, Liverpool could find themselves in the market again — perhaps as early as next summer — for another left-back to back up or challenge Kerkez.

For now, though, the focus remains on reshaping the squad under Arne Slot, and one thing is clear — Kerkez is the man trusted to lead the new era at left-back.