Lazar Markovic Transfer Rumours: Latest Gossip Surrounding Benfica Star

Updates from Tuesday, July 15

Benfica confirmed on Tuesday that it had sold its stake in Lazar Markovic to Liverpool via a release (per Ed Malyon of The Daily Mirror):

Earlier, Lazar Markovic posted two pictures on his Facebook account with his new Liverpool jersey:

Updates from Monday, July 14

BBC Sport reports that Lazar Markovic is undergoing a medical at Anfield:

Pictures later surfaced of Markovic holding up a Liverpool shirt after arriving in Liverpool:

Updates from Thursday, July 10

James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo has more details on Markovic's potential Anfield swap:

Updates from Wednesday, July 9

Lazar Markovic is expected to complete the particulars of his move to Liverpool before the weekend.

The player will undergo a medical within 48 hours, with only personal terms left to complete, per the Daily Mirror's David Anderson:

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Lazar Markovic is due on Merseyside in the next 48 hours to complete his £19.8million move to Liverpool.

Markovic, 20, is flying in for his medical and to sign after Liverpool activated his buy-out clause at Benfica.

The Serbian international winger could arrive as early as tomorrow, although it is more likely he will jet in on Thursday.

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Updates from Monday, July 7

Lazar Markovic is expected to head to Merseyside for a medical within the next 48 hours, ahead of a transfer worth in the region of £20 million.

Sky Sports' Pete O'Rourke comments on reports coming out of Portugal:

Liverpool are determined to agree terms with Markovic before making a formal offer in writing to Benfica, in order to avoid Chelsea hijacking the deal.

Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror reports the latest:

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Liverpool have not yet made a formal approach to Benfica for the wideman as any written offer would then trigger the first-option agreement Chelsea have on the player, inserted in his 2013 transfer, giving Jose Mourinho first refusal and the opportunity to sign him instead.

Chelsea have given no indications that they are in the market for a wide forward but the Stamford Bridge club have, in recent years, taken to player trading as a way of generating revenue.

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Original Text

Liverpool are reportedly close to stealing Lazar Markovic from underneath Chelsea's nose, making a £25 million offer for the Serbian midfielder on Sunday.   

According to The Telegraph's Chris Bascombe, Brendan Rodgers is already investing the funds the Reds will be receiving from the sale of Luis Suarez, with the Benfica youngster the latest player to make the move to Anfield.

Goal's Wayne Veysey is a fan of the proposed move:

Markovic flashed his talent during the 2013-14 Europa League, playing mainly as an impact substitute on the right wing. The Serb has blistering pace and good technical abilities, and at 20 years old, he already looks like a future superstar.

Benfica have been careful in their development of the player, taking things one step at a time, and if Markovic were to move to Liverpool, a similar trajectory could be in order.

The Reds have plenty of strength out wide and can afford to work Markovic into the team slowly, giving him every opportunity to continue his progression.

Chelsea have been linked with the player for a long time now, and the Blues were widely expected to land the winger's signature during the summer. But with plenty of players already occupying the wide spots for Chelsea, Liverpool make for a more attractive destination for Markovic.

Sky Sports' Fabrizio Romano thinks Markovic would be a perfect fit for the Reds' system:

The biggest question mark surrounding Markovic is his lack of production so far, with plenty of fans wondering why he didn't always start for Benfica. The Portuguese side have plenty of talent out wide, however, with Enzo Perez and Nicolas Gaitan occupying the starting positions.

It's important to remember Markovic is still a very young player, and while his potential is undeniable, it will take time for the midfielder to develop into a consistent top-class performer.

Markovic's impact with the Reds would be felt, however. He's already good enough to push for a starting spot with Liverpool and has plenty of experience contributing off the bench, so he'll add yet another attacking option to Rodgers' extensive arsenal.

Fans will have to wait for an official announcement from either Benfica or Liverpool, but as of right now, it looks like Markovic will be defending the colours of Liverpool very soon.