Laar Markovic has completed a £20m move to Liverpool…
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Liverpool have completed a move for 20-year-old Serbian winger Lazar Markovic, after buying half his contract from Benfica, and half of it from super agent Pini Zahavi for roughly £20m in total, reports the Daily Mail.
The young attacker can play anywhere along the front line, but is perhaps most comfortable in a central no.10 position, although he’s equally effective on the right wing.
He becomes Liverpool’s fourth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Emre Can, although because of his prodigious talent, Markovic’s arrival has been met with the most excitement.
He’s rated extremely highly, with former Chelsea and West Ham manager Avram Grant going as far as comparing him to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo when they were at the same age!
This will no doubt get Liverpool fansd excited, as will some of the quotes from various other European experts in recent days.
Here’s some of the best quotes:
Liverpool Manager Brendan Rodgers: (Liverpool Echo)
“Lazar is flexible to play a number of positions, but I like the way he attacks games and is always positive and looking to make something happen. He will fit in with the way we play at Liverpool.
“Getting him at such a young age is also very pleasing for us, because we will be able to work with him to develop his talent within our group and improve him even further.
“He is the sort of character who is hungry to get better and progress; this is what we look for in players.”
Former Chelsea manager Avram Grant: (The Mirror)
“I can say that apart from Ronaldo and Messi, Markovic is one of the best talents I’ve ever seen at 19 years of age.”
European football expert Andy Brassel: (Liverpool Echo)
“If he has a good season, it will seem pretty cheap pretty quickly,
“He’s one of the very best young players in Europe, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. He’s got an uncommon gift.
“I think a lot of people were expecting him to come to Benfica last season and just dip a toe in. Benfica are extremely strong in midfield, but he managed to come out on top and play a lot of games.
“The potential he has is absolutely enormous.”
European football journalist Tor-Kristian Karlsen:
I’ve followed his career since making Partizan debut, talent and potential obvious from the point of breaking into the first team (1/5)
— Tor-Kristian Karlsen (@karlsentk) July 15, 2014
Top European sides were monitoring him back then, most of those impressed by his great ability though some concerns re “frail” physique(2/5) — Tor-Kristian Karlsen (@karlsentk) July 15, 2014
In terms of potential there’s no doubt in my mind that Markovic is among the top 3-5 greatest talents in European football (3/5) — Tor-Kristian Karlsen (@karlsentk) July 15, 2014
Main characteristics: great ability on the ball (close control, touch), explosive/very quick in one vs one situations, intelligent (4/5) — Tor-Kristian Karlsen (@karlsentk) July 15, 2014
Transfer fee may seem high but if player develops according to expectations/potential, he could (should) be worth x2 in 18-24 months (5/5) — Tor-Kristian Karlsen (@karlsentk) July 15, 2014
Portugese football expert Jan Hagen:
Everyone who have watched Markovic on a weekly basis are unanimously agree that he’s destined for greatness. They who hasn’t doubt it. Hmm.
— Jan Hagen (@PortuBall) July 15, 2014