Liverpool’s demands mean Hull City face Lazar Markovic problem

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Hull City want to sign Lazar Markovic permanently after a decent loan spell last season – but it appears Liverpool are intent on playing hardball.

When Hull City suffered relegation to the Championship after just one season back in the top flight, their hopes of landing Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic on a permanent deal suffered an almighty blow.

However, with The Mirror reporting that the Serbian winger will be allowed to leave Anfield this summer as Jurgen Klopp does not see him as part of his plans, Hull were hoping to convince the 23-year-old to remain in Humberside.

Markovic impressed in fits and spells during a loan spell from January to May last season and the report added that they were hoping to land him permanently for around £8 million.

Markovic was named in the 2013/14 Europa League Team of the Season after helping Benfica reach the final

Yet, Liverpool have not forgotten the fact that they paid Portuguese giants Benfica £20 million for the ‘Serbian Messi’ back in the summer of 2014, as reported by the Daily Mail.

And despite a disappointing three years, during which he has played just 19 times for The Reds and failed to impress on loan at Sporting Lisbon and Fenerbahce, Liverpool are still hoping to recoup most of their outlay.

The Daily Mail reports that they are holding out for £16 million – a fee that may just put Markovic out of Hull’s price range. The report adds that Watford, whose manager Marco Silva was instrumental in Markovic joining Hull in January, now have no interest in striking a deal.

And considering that Hull would need to break their transfer record, set when they landed Ryan Mason from Tottenham last year for £13 million (Sky Sports), it appears unlikely that Markovic will be wearing amber and black stripes again any time soon.

The report adds that Markovic is in talks with Italian side Fiorentina, who are looking to replace talisman Federico Bernardeschi following his big-money move to Juventus. And Serie A appears his most likely destination right now.