How the world reacted to Liverpool signing Lazar Markovic

There has been much excitement and anticipation surrounding the signing of Serbian international forward Lazar Markovic, which Liverpool confirmed on Tuesday.

Markovic became the club’s fourth signing of the transfer window on a €25 million (£20 million) deal from Benfica.

Despite the departure of Luis Suarez, Brendan Rodgers’ attacking options are looking increasingly attractive with Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert having arrived on Merseyside this summer.

Midfielder Emre Can also completed his move from Bayer Leverkusen earlier this month, but it is the signing of Markovic that is getting people talking.

Chris Bascombe of The Telegraph explains the make-up of the transfer fee:

The Portuguese club say they received €12.5 million (£9.9 million) for their 50 per cent share in the 20-year-old, who was joint-owned with an investment fund linked to superagent Pini Zahavi while playing at the Stadium of Light.

In line with Premier League rules, Liverpool take full ownership of the player’s contract, ending the third party ownership arrangement at his previous club.

The club’s negotiating skills to pull together a complicated transfer package over several parties will go a long way to restoring faith in managing director Ian Ayre following criticism in recent transfer windows.

James Orr of The Independent describes how Markovic could fit in at Liverpool:

The versatile Markovic can play either on the left wing or as up front on his own, and is expected to complete Brendan Rodgers post-Suarez attack alongside the central Rickie Lambert and Daniel Sturridge on the right.

Whilst Lee Thomas-Mason of the Daily Mirror reveals Markovic’s background:

Markovic signed for Serbian football giants Partizan Belgrade at the age of 12 as part of their acclaimed Youth School Belin academy.

If their coaching ability is anything to go by, then Liverpool fans can rest easy. Partizan have produced the likes of Manchester City duo Stevan Jovetic and Matija Nastasic in recent years.

markovic2

On Twitter, Liverpool fans were delighted at Markovic’s arrival, hailing a very productive summer transfer window so far at Anfield.

https://twitter.com/Fydsy/status/489092655176228864

https://twitter.com/Robish13/status/489092920713424896

Liverpool’s pre-season campaign gets underway on Wednesday afternoon when they take on Brondby at 5pm (UK).

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