Benfica capture Chelsea target Lazar Markovic

Reported Chelsea target Lazar Markovic has joined Benfica on a permanent deal from Partizan Belgrade.

The 19-year-old winger had been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge and his Serbian club claimed last week that he was to join the Blues before being loaned to Benfica for two seasons.

However, the two-time European Cup winners have claimed that he has signed a five-year contract with them and denied that any agreement is in place with Chelsea over the teenager's future.

"Serbian winger Markovic signed with Benfica for five seasons," read a Benfica statement.

Markovic has been capped seven times at full international level for Serbia since debuting in 2012, scoring once.