Liverpool have confirmed the departure of winger Lazar Markovic to Sporting on a season-loan deal after failing to secure a regular place.
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Fenerbahce took the Serbia global on a season-long loan deal last season however, Markovic spent the majority of the year in the treatment room following a run of injuries.
Markovic spent the 2014/15 season at Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers. Sporting made a bid worth £16m earlier in the summer and Liverpool will not accept an offer less than that.
But the 22-year-old had previously ruled out a move to Portugal, having already spent time with Benfica, preferring to deal with another Premier League side.
A source told ESPN FC that Markovic performed a “big U-turn” after initially informing the club that he did not want to return to Portugal.
It’s understood the North East club are willing to go all out for the player, with a loan move and a permanent transfer both potential options.
But Markovic will be hoping to establish himself under his former Benfica manager Jorge Jesus, as he looks to salvage a career that once promised such great things.
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Markovic returned to Liverpool for pre-season but was unable to force his way into Jurgen Klopp’s plans for this season.
