Liverpool are set to battle Chelsea for the signature of Benfica’s Lazar Markovic, having sent their chief scout to watch the attacker last week.
Markovic, 20, has been making waves recently for Benfica in the Portuguese top flight, and according to the Daily Mail, Liverpool sent chief scout Barry Hunter to Ireland last Wednesday to watch Serbia’s 2-1 win over Republic of Ireland, in which Markovic played 75 minutes.
Chelsea, says the Mail, have first option on any Benfica player, due to the healthy relationship between the two clubs. But despite this, Markovic is not a priority for the Blues this summer, with Jose Mourinho already with a plethora of attacking midfield stars at his disposal.
Liverpool are in need of further attacking options in midfield, with Raheem Sterling still learning, and Coutinho not quite the finished article. Markovic is adept to playing anywhere along an attacking midfield three, and could be a decent acquisition for Brendan Rodgers.
However, Markovic would not come cheap, with the youngster already a full Serbian international, and a regular feature for Benfica this season, with whom he has a contract until 2018.
Also, with many attacking options still on the Liverpool radar, such as Ukrainian winger Yehven Konoplyanka, it remains to be seen whether the most recent movements of the club’s chief scout is a sign of switched priorities.
What do you think, Liverpool fans? Like the look of Markovic? Get involved in the comments below…
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