A number of off-field issues at Leeds United over the summer saw them miss out on the chance to sign a player who has now been nominated for the European Golden Boy award.
Having identified Kerkez so early on, Leeds clearly liked the look of the 19-year-old. But a number of factors worked against them and they missed out on a player destined for the very top.
Being relegated from the Premier League did not help, of course, nor did director of football Victor Orta stepping down, a new manager being brought in and the whole takeover situation behind the scenes.
In short, it was a chaotic summer at Elland Road and it meant it took time to get going in the summer window, at which point Kerkez had already been snapped up by Bournemouth.
His impressive performances this year were recognised on Thursday (12 October) when nominated for the European Golden Boy award, alongside the likes of Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal, Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala and Real Madrid’s new boy wonder Jude Bellingham.
Kerkez is clearly going places, leaving those high up at Leeds to wonder just what might have been had there been less mayhem at the club in the summer.
In other Leeds United news, a Yorkshire Evening Post journalist poked fun at Archie Gray for something he did while on international duty.