Anderlecht have contacted Liverpool about a permanent deal for Lazar Markovic this summer, according to a HLN.
The Belgian newspaper report that Anderlecht do not have an option to sign the 24-year-old attacker permanently but will pursue such a deal anyway this summer.
HLN claim that the Belgian First Division A club have made contact with both Liverpool and Markovic’s representatives about the move, with the winger said to be keen on staying in Brussels.
It is said that Liverpool see no future for Markovic at Anfield and are open to a permanent exit as long as they recoup some of the £21million they spent on him in 2014.
A loan extension is reportedly unlikely because the Serbia international is out of contract on Merseyside in the summer of 2019.
Good move for Liverpool?
Absolutely.
Markovic has not been a part of the first-team plans at Anfield for a long while now, and there is little point keeping him around to rot in the reserves.
The Serbian winger showed glimpses of his quality during his time in England, both with Liverpool and on loan at Hull, but was unable to convert those into good games on a regular basis.
As long as the Reds can recover some of the large fee they spent on Markovic, then this is a deal that makes perfect sense for the club.
Live 4 Liverpool rating: 9/10
Likely to happen?
It looks as though Markovic is happy in Belgium and both sides are willing for a deal to be struck.
The main issue here will surely be Liverpool’s asking price, with Anderlecht not having the spending power of the big clubs in Europe.
As long as the Reds are reasonable in their expectations, then you would think this one would go through without a hitch.
Live 4 Liverpool rating: 7/10
