OPINION
Liverpool have reportedly made midfielder Marko Grujic available for a loan exit this summer, and Rangers manager Steven Gerrard must use his links to Anfield to snap him up for the Scottish giants.
The Mirror reported on their live transfer blog on Saturday [08:30am] that the Reds are plotting to send Grujic, 22, out on loan again with new signings Fabinho and Naby Keita likely to force him even further down the pecking order at Anfield.
While the Serbia international is available, Gerrard and director of football Mark Allen will have to make a move as soon as possible for the midfield colossus, as it is claimed that Cardiff are looking to re-sign him after a successful spell on loan in South Wales in the Championship this season.
Grujic was instrumental in helping Neil Warnock’s side earn promotion to the Premier League.
His imposing physical presence added an edge to the Bluebirds midfield as they lost just one of the 12 Championship games in which he started.
In total, Grugic made 14 appearances across all competitions for Cardiff, and even though he would probably like to move back to the Welsh club, Rangers should look to make a move.
Grujic, who stands at 6ft 3in tall according to transfermarkt, will flourish in Scottish football and Gerrard’s link to Liverpool should mean that the Merseyside club would be willing to strike a deal.
The Daily Star reports that he earns £15,000-a-week in his Liverpool deal, a sum that the Gers should be able to cover if the Premier League club want them to pay 100 per cent of his wages.
Rangers’ biggest weakness this season was their poor defensive record and getting in a player like Grujic to add some physical steel to their midfield should be one of Gerrard’s top priorities for the summer.