Marko Grujic could become one of the first signings of Jurgen Klopp‘s Liverpool tenure, after the Reds reportedly held talks over signing the Red Star Belgrade midfielder.
The 19-year-old is in his second season in the Red Star first team, and has made 19 SuperLiga appearances so far in 2015/16, scoring five goals and assisting on another five.
This has sparked interest from Klopp and his Bosnian-Serb assistant, Zeljko Buvac, with Liverpool reportedly holding talks with Red Star over a possible move.
James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo suggests that the Reds had been “granted permission” to speak to Grujic after his side’s 7-2 win over Cukaricki on Sunday—with the midfielder scoring from his advanced attacking role in that victory.
#LFC were at Red Star Belgrade’s match on Sunday to watch Marko Grujic, the highly-rated Serbia midfielder. Talks underway on £5m deal
— Ben Smith (@BSmith) December 8, 2015
“The Reds have held productive talks with the Serbia Under-21s international over a potential £5 million move to Anfield,” Pearce writes.
“Boss Jurgen Klopp is a big admirer of the 19-year-old, who has helped inspire Red Star’s Serbian Super League title challenge.
“Grujic’s progress has also been closely monitored by Reds assistant manager and fellow countryman Zeljko Buvac.
“The teenager has been tracked by a number of top European clubs this season and Liverpool face competition from the likes of Inter Milan, Roma and Chelsea.”
Pearce claims that Liverpool are interested in a January move for Grujic, but the midfielder wants to stay at Red Star until the end of the season.
“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,” Grujic said when asked about joining Liverpool.
“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.”
This could see the Reds agree to loan Grujic back to Red Star until the end of 2015/16, as with Divock Origi when the Belgian striker signed from Lille in 2014.
With Klopp possessing a competitive midfield at present, another six months in Belgrade could suit Grujic.
But with the German clearly an admirer of his talents, the Serbia U21s international may find himself among the likes of Jordan Henderson and Emre Can in the near future.
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