Italian minnows try to hijack Galatasaray’s move for £12m Liverpool winger, Reds green light summer transfer

Italian minnows Crotone are plotting a shock move for Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic according to reports in Italy.

Crotone officials are interested in recruiting the services of Markovic this summer according to Il Corriere dello Sport.

Per the source, the Serie A relegation candidates are making efforts to ensure that they survive their first ever season of top-flight football.

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The Mirror report that Liverpool have given Markovic the green light to leave and are ready to consider offers that match their £12 million valuation – £8 million less than they paid for him in 2014.

The Italian side will have to rival Turkish giants Galatasaray, Zenit St Petersburg as well as Watford who have been targeting a move for the Serbian international.

Crotone would not be able to offer what the Reds are asking for and are interested in a loan move instead.

Markovic is no stranger to football in Turkey as he spent a season on loan at Fenerbahce.

The 23-year-old netted twice and set up three goals in a season riddled by injuries on his last stint in the Super Lig.

Markovic has struggled to settle in at Liverpool and spent the last three seasons on loan – at Fenerbahce, Sporting Lisbon and Hull City.

The winger faces an uncertain future at Liverpool but is expected to repot for pre-season training on Wednesday.