Rumour: Liverpool asked to shell out £30 million for Benfica’s Lazar Markovic

£30 million for Lazar Markovic?

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has been quoted an enormous £30 million for Benfica’s young star Lazar Markovic, according to the Daily Mirror.

Rodgers wants Markovic, who has been impressive for Benfica in the Europa League this season, for the Champions League next season but the Portuguese giants are holding out for a huge fee from the Premier League leaders.

Officials from the Reds have met with the player’s agents and they are willing to talk about a move to the Premier League in the summer. Scouts were at two recent Benfica games to watch Markovic and are thought to be quite impressed.

The forward, 20, a long-term name on Liverpool’s wanted list, has developed since joining Benfica from Partizan Belgrade and is ideal for Rodgers. With the Reds on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League next season, Rodgers needs more bodies in his squad in order to cope with the pressures of playing in Europe in midweek then back to the Premier league at the weekend.

Liverpool’s only fear is that Chelsea have already agreed a deal for Markovic after the two clubs became friendly after recent transfers. Chelsea sent Nemanja Matic and £21m to Benfica for David Luiz and then bought Matic back in January for around the same figure.