Klopp sanctions sale of £12m Liverpool man with Brazilian on his mind
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will sanction the permanent sale of midfielder Marko Grujic this summer, claims a report.
The Reds will finally part ways with Serbia international midfielder, reports Berliner Kurier.
Grujic has been with the Anfield club since arriving from Red Star Belgrade in January 2016. He has made only 16 appearances though and has been loaned out to Cardiff, Hertha Berlin and Porto.
Hertha Berlin and Porto are said to be interested in the 25-year old, with Michael Edwards understood to have set an asking price of around £12m.
Hertha wanted to buy Grujic last summer, but the report claims Liverpool refused to sell the Belgrade-born player. Now though Liverpool have made Porto, where he spent last season, aware that Grujic is available.
“I went through preparations with the club, after two years in the Bundesliga, I returned more mature to England,” he told Kurir. “That’s what they told me in Liverpool
“But when Thiago Alcantara came from Bayern [Munich], I estimated that there would not be much space for me. I didn’t want to gamble.
“I see now that there are a lot of injured players at Anfield. It is certain that I would get a chance, but I could not have foreseen that.”
Liverpool had been unwilling to offload Grujic permanently with hopes high he could still develop into a first-team star.
Meanwhile, with Grujic set to be sold Liverpool could jack up their interest in Raphinha.
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Liverpool hot for Raphinha
According to Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari, Liverpool remain in the race for the Leeds forward Raphinha, who has impressed Klopp.
The Brazilian hit six goals and nine assists in his debut season in the Premier League.
Longari claims Manchester United and Manchester City are also following the winger. However, any deal for the 24-year-old will be difficult with three years remaining on his contract and Leeds eager to keep him.
Leeds paid what now appears to be a bargain £17m for Raphinha, who is now valued at more than double that.
Speaking to UOL Esporte, Raphinha said this week: “When I arrived in Leeds, Bielsa came to welcome me.
“He said he was willing to help me evolve, to speed up my adaptation to the club, so that I could show my best football. Whenever I wanted I could knock on his door.”
READ MORE: Four Liverpool exits confirmed; two players offered new contracts
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