'Only Messi and Ronaldo have impressed me more' - Liverpool bound Lazar Markovic praised by former boss

The Evening Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Lazar Show: Markovic ability close to Barcelona and Real Madrid stars

Getty

Andy Hodgson9 July 2014

Benfica's Lazar Markovic, who is set to complete a £20 million move to Liverpool, has been praised by former Partizan Belgrade manager as having talents close to that of stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Former Chelsea boss Avram Grant, who spent managed the Serbian starlet during his time at Partizan Belgrade, was full of admiration for the midfielder when asked about his ability.

Window Watch: The best of the confirmed Premier League transfers

1/57

“I can say that apart from Ronaldo and Messi, Markovic is one of the best talents I’ve ever seen at 19 years of age,” said Grant.

Markovic is set to undergo a medical this week before completing a £20million move to Liverpool, after the club gave up attempts to lure Barcelona's Alexis Sanchez to Anfield.

He would become manager Brendan Rodgers' fourth signing of the summer, after acquiring Emre Can from Bayer Leverkusen, and Southampton and England duo Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana.