Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre has reportedly flown to Belgrade to wrap up a £5 million deal for Red Star Belgrade youngster Marko Grujic, for what would be Jurgen Klopp’s first signing at Anfield.

David Maddock of the Mirror said the Reds will immediately loan the player back to the Serbian club for the rest of the campaign, allowing the 19-year-old to arrive in England next summer.

Serbian newspaper Telegraf (h/t Tom Sheen of the Independent) recently commented on the potential transfer: “Marko Grujic has agreed all terms with Liverpool and the move should soon be formalised of his transfer to Anfield. The euphoria among supporters of red has already begun due to the arrival of one of the most talented players in Europe.”

Here is a compilation video of the player’s best moments in recent months:

The central midfielder is a rising star on the global stage, having helped Serbia to a dramatic victory over Brazil to capture the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in June.

The teenager can play across the midfield, and he has scored five goals and provided six assists in 21 domestic SuperLiga appearances for his team, according to Transfermarkt.co.uk. He has the talent to fit Klopp’s requirements in attack and will supplement the forward line. 

According to Maddock, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Manchester United have all chased Grujic in recent times, but it appears Klopp has won the race to capture his signature. 

The player recently commented on his future, and confirmed there have been solid talks with Liverpool, but he had yet to agree terms, per Maddock:

I’ll try to respect the club, the fans and the general public, but again I think that for myself I have to choose the best environment where I get the chance to play and where I work with good coaches in good conditions.

It is certain that I remain here until the end of qualifying for the Champions League. I had a talk with Liverpool but I did not receive yet any agreement. I’m still a Red Star player.

In other news, Liverpool will find it difficult to take Jamie Vardy from Leicester City, if they decide the striker is the answer to their Champions League ambitions. 

The Sun (h/t Leicester Mercury) claimed Liverpool are preparing an £8 million move for the prolific front man, but Foxes manager Claudio Ranieri has advised his star to remain at the King Power through the January transfer window. 

Laurie Whitwell of the MailOnline quoted Ranieri speaking about Vardy and Riyad Mahrez’s futures as he hopes transfer speculation doesn’t turn his best players’ heads: “I spoke to the two guys, we continue together, we can improve. Maybe at end of the season we can speak. We are in good flight now. I don’t wait for their answer! If they believe in me—follow me.”

Vardy currently has two-and-a-half years left on his current deal, making it difficult for suitors to approach the player if Leicester resist. His current wages of £40,000-per-week would clearly explode skyward if he opts to move to a bigger club, taking advantage of his incredible form from this term.

However, it is questionable whether this is just a hot streak from the 28-year-old, who struggled to hit the net last year. 

Liverpool fans might be underwhelmed if the club targeted a player like Vardy, as Daniel Sturridge tries to attain full fitness. 

If the Reds truly have ambitions to work their way back into the Champions League places, they will have to add world-class talent to their player pool, and not only successful English league individuals who are unproven on the bigger stages.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1MkIevC
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J