Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic seals £10.5m move to Porto as Jurgen Klopp begins huge summer clear-out to raise cash for new signings
- Liverpool’s forgotten man Marko Grujic has now permanently departed Anfield
- The Serbian was the first ever signing of Jurgen Klopp when he took over as boss
- Grujic has spent several seasons undertaking various loan moves in Europe
- After taking him for the last campaign, Porto have struck a deal with the Reds
Liverpool have completed the £10.5million sale of midfielder Marko Grujic to Portuguese giants Porto as the summer clear-out begins.
The Serbian midfielder became the first Anfield signing of Jurgen Klopp when he took over as manager in October 2015, but struggled for game-time since.
A series of loan moves across Europe, with the likes of Hertha Berlin and most recently Porto, have seen the 25-year-old raise his stock and attract suitors.
Liverpool have officially sanctioned the £10.5million sale of midfielder Marko Grujic to Porto
Now, after Porto followed up with concrete interest to Liverpool regarding the box-to-box midfielder, a deal had been shaken on and completed at both ends.
Grujic is currently in Austria with the Liverpool senior team taking part in pre-season training, but was informed at the start of the transfer window that the Reds were looking to sell.
Now, though, he will leave the camp to return to Porto and rejoin familiar faces while being officially unveiled as a new recruit.
Liverpool had slapped a £15m price tag on Grujic and were understood to have remained firm when clubs enquired about a lower valuation.
Grujic (right) impressed on loan with Porto last season and starred in the Champions League
The Serbian had been a Liverpool player for several seasons but found his opportunities limited
The Reds dropped their asking price and agreed a £10.5m deal with Porto after the Primeira club agreed to a 10 per cent sell-on clause for any future deal regarding the player.
Liverpool sources have previously indicated that the club are not in for a big-spending summer, despite having already sealed the £35m arrival of defender Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig.
Klopp’s side operate on a self-sustaining sell to buy model and this summer, like all those before, is expected to remain the same.
Sporting director Michael Edwards has been tasked with cutting loose the dead wood in the senior ranks and turning a profit in order to reinvest in new faces.
It is further reported that Liverpool are on the brink of selling Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi. A figure of £6.5m is being discussed.
The 23-year-old has also been training with the first team out in Austria, and is poised to undertake a medical with Union Berlin ahead of a switch to Germany.
Liverpool also remain hopeful of selling Welsh winger Harry Wilson this summer, with Championship side Fulham leading the race for the £15m-rated star.
Liverpool are also on the brink of selling Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi (C) to Union Berlin