According to reports from The Express, Liverpool have joined Premier League rivals Chelsea in the race to sign Red Star Belgrade midfielder Marko Grujic.
Boasting a lofty 6 foot 3 frame, shared nationality and similar playing style, the 19-year-old has been dubbed the ‘new Nemanja Matic’.
He first drew attention as Serbia lifted the U20 World Cup in New Zealand last summer and has since been linked with Premier League duo Chelsea and Manchester United.
Reports of Red Devils interest have waned over the last weeks, but Grujic has already confirmed he’s being courted by Premier League rivals Chelsea, telling reporters last month; “Nemanja Matic is a friend, he’s Serbian and he has been at Chelsea for over a year. He tells me that they want me.”
According to The Express, however, Liverpool have emerged as late arrivals in the race for the Serbia U21’s signature.
He is already well-known to assistant manager Zeljko Buvac, a Bosnian Serb, and after watching him score in a 7-2 win over Cukaricki, Reds scouts held talks with the towering midfielder and his agent last Saturday
The Express claim Red Star could sell Grujic for as little as £3million – but also document rivaled interest from Inter Milan.