Liverpool Will Reportedly Accept Cut-Rate Lazar Markovic Deal

The Reds are no longer holding out hope of recouping a significant portion of the winger’s £20M transfer fee.

Last summer, Liverpool believed they could recoup a significant portion of the £20M fee they paid to sign Lazar Markovic from Benfica in 2014, with some reports suggesting the club hoped to get as much as £15M for the player.

The end result of that decision was that despite interest in the player there were, in the end, no takers for the player and Markovic ended up stuck in Liverpool’s reserves for half the season before heading to Anderlecht on loan in January.

This summer, according to The Liverpool Echo, the club have accepted that even if they can find a permanent home for the player they will only receive a “fraction” of the fee originally paid for the once-promising 24-year-old Serbian.

Markovic arrived at Liverpool as one of Europe’s most highly regarded young talents but struggled with injuries and never convinced when fit, which led to fewer and fewer chances—and often being played out of position when he did play.

In his four seasons on Liverpool’s books he headed out on loan four times, to Fenerbahce, Sporting, Hull City, and finally Anderlecht. Of those loans, perhaps only his time spent at Hull City can be counted as any kind of a success.

The others were all marked by injuries and a poor on-field return, culminating with his disappointing move to Belgium in January that saw him arrive unfit—despite being healthy it took him six weeks to make his first appearance.

When he finally was ready to play he made just eight appearances, scoring one goal and one assist in 429 minutes—or less than five matches of actual playing time. He is not expected to be given a chance to revive his Liverpool career.

Instead, pre-season minutes will be given to youth and fringe players the club still believe have a future at the club—youngsters like Ben Woodburn and Harry Wilson. And Markovic will be sold. If Liverpool find someone willing to take him.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com