While Liverpool have continued radio silence over the proposed transfer of Red Star Belgrade sensation Marko Grujic, the Serbian club have been less than discrete regarding the deal and have confirmed that the Reds bid of £5.14mil has beaten out the competition for the youngster’s signature.
“The club’s board considered the offers and unanimously accepted Liverpool’s offer to pay the money immediately,” read a rather bluntly worded statement from the club, before further going on to confirm that the only reason they’re parting ways with the the talented 19-year old is because they need the money. “Red Star sincerely want Marko Grujic to carry on playing in the club’s kit for the next 10 years but the financial situation of our club dictates the adoption of a different decision.”
The 10% sell-on clause rumoured to be included in Grujic’s contract with the Reds and the fact that he’ll remain with the Serbians for the remainder of the season has been a point of contention among some supporters with the club already appearing to be paying above the odds for yet another unproven youngster. While the up and coming midfielder has scored five goals in 22-appearances for Red Star this season, he’s still quite a raw talent — something that the Anfield outfit already have in abundance.
With Belgian side Anderlecht low-balling at £1.47mil and German outfit Stuttgart coming in at around £3.67mil, Liverpool have seriously upped the ante by topping over £5mil for a player that we’re still going to have to put more than a substantial time in to develop. That being said, had we held firm at something a little more reasonable and missed out on him, we’d all be moaning about a lack of ambition and financial backing from the owners, wouldn’t we?
