LIVERPOOL: Lazar Markovic will take Liverpool’s spending towards £60 million (RM327 million) today when he is confirmed as Brendan Rodgers’ fourth summer signing.
The Serbia international arrived on Merseyside on Sunday night ahead of completing a two-part medical at Spire Liverpool Hospital and the club’s Melwood training ground after Liverpool triggered the £20 million release clause in his Benfica contract.
Markovic arrived at Anfield later, posing with a club shirt.
Liverpool have been pursuing Markovic all summer — he was a target long before it became inevitable that Luis Suarez would join Barcelona — and they acted quickly to land one of the most highly-regarded young players in Europe.
Markovic, who played a crucial role in helping Benfica win the Portuguese title last season, has agreed a long-term contract at Anfield and he joins Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Emre Can as new additions to a squad that finished runners-up to Manchester City in May.
The 20-year-old, a highly-rated left-sided attacker, will not be Liverpool’s final signing of the window by any means, with Belgium striker Divock Origi also close to joining Liverpool, while they are exploring reviving a deal for in Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno.
Liverpool are considering moves for, among others, Swansea pair Wilfried Bony and Ben Davies, QPR striker Loic Remy and they have not lost interest in Croatia defender Dejan Lovren, even though Southampton are standing firm. Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus, however, is not a target.
It is set to be a summer of change at Anfield , as a number of players, including Lucas Leiva and Daniel Agger, could leave.
Liverpool returned to training last week and play their first pre-season friendly tomorrow in Copenhagen against Brondby; they then face Preston at Deepdale on Saturday before heading to the United States for a tour, where they will be joined by their six England internationals. Daily Mail