Liverpool man Marko Grujic is wanted.
We reported earlier in the week how Italian side Atalanta were credited with fresh interest in the midfielder, and now that rumour has seen a significant development.
Corriere dello Sport has said that Benevento Calcio and AC Milan have joined the race to sign the Serbian. However, they need to get their house in order because an offer for the midfielder has already been submitted by Atalanta.
They are prepared to take Marko Grujic on loan, with an obligation to buy, which suits Jurgen Klopp down to the ground. Corriere di Bergamo, via Sport Witness, has confirmed that competition for the Serb is rife.
It does seem like we’re edging towards a permanent solution for the 24-year-old, who looks like he’d struggle to break the Liverpool first team if he stayed at Anfield.
His time out on loan has been beneficial for both parties, though. Without moving to Cardiff for that half-season, or the two years Grujic spent with Hertha Berlin, bigger sides like Atalanta or Milan wouldn’t necessarily be prepared to take him.
The midfielder impressed during his 51 Bundesliga game, in which he scored nine goals and assisted two. He also played 13 games in the Championship, scoring once in his 984 minutes.
With the potential for Thiago to come into the side, there really isn’t much hope that Grujic would be able to force his way into the team – even if Fabinho was used as an emergency central defender.
Shifting wages while bringing in a decent fee will allow Liverpool to be more flexible in the transfer market while trimming their squad. Ovie Ejaria has already left to join Reading, where he spent last season on loan, and that’s another positive development.
Will we see Grujic continue his career in Italy? All of the signs currently point towards that direction, but you never know until it’s all over.
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