Liverpool could repeat Diogo Jota trick with Marko Grujic says Romano

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Liverpool could use Marko Grujic in a swap deal this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 24-year-old was Jurgen Klopp’s first major signing as Reds manager back in January 2016. He has managed just 16 appearances since his £5.1 million [BBC] addition from Red Star Belgrade five years ago.

Grujic is currently undergoing a year-long loan spell with FC Porto this term, having spent the previous two seasons with Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga.

According to The ECHO, Liverpool were holding out for a £20m permanent deal for Grujic, but even the player himself, revealed that the modest valuation scared off potential buyers.

In Portugal, Grujic has managed to make little impact under manager Sérgio Conceição. He has started just three matches in Primeira Liga all season.

A return to Merseyside, then, won’t see his Liverpool first-team credentials enhanced with the Reds still searching for a long-term solution for the Serbian international.

Indeed, Grujic is a talented player but it seems that his long-term prospects are better suited outside of Anfield. And, according to Romano, sporting director Michael Edwards may have discovered a creative way to help him find another club.

Romano, who has often featured for Sky Sports and The Guardian, said that Liverpool could use Grujic in a swap deal as opposed to a straight cash sale.

Speaking with the Anfield Watch, Romano said: “Marko Grujic, I’m told, could be involved in some possible swap deals next summer if Liverpool have some good opportunities to add in midfield or in defence.

“He could be an interesting player to offer so they will try to do something smart again, as they have previously with the Diogo Jota deal for example.”

What RTK has to say

This is certainly an exciting proposition, especially if Liverpool are able to pull off a similar financial masterclass to the deal sanctioned to sign Jota.

One of the key factors behind such a shrewd acquisition from Liverpool’s perspective was Wolves’ willingness to be flexible on the payment terms.

The Midland-based club accepted just 10 per cent of the guaranteed figure throughout his first initial 12 months as a Liverpool player. The vast majority was an offset by the initial payment from Wolves for 19-year-old Ki-Jana Hoever.

It has proven to be one of the deals of summer as Jota has been a revelation at Anfield ever since his September signing.

Also, it’s a deal that clearly worked well for Wolves which makes the notion of repeating a similar trick with Grujic all the more welcomed.

With Grujic as a potential bargaining chip, Liverpool can effectively kill two birds with one stone.

The Reds can scour the market for a viable transfer alternative while simultaneously find Grujic a new club to get his career trajectory back on track.