Chelsea chase Liverpool target Lazar Markovic

Roman Abramovich is eager to bring teenage striker Lazar Markovic to Stamford Bridge, according to reports.

Markovic, who will turn 18 next month, has scored six goals in 16 games for Partizan Belgrade after signing his first professional contract with the club last summer.

The Blues chief is understood to be enamoured with the Serbian, whose £14m price tag is believed to have scared off potential suitors Liverpool, and is willing to meet manager Avram Grant's valuation, according to The People.

Should he be allowed to leave the club, the Serbia Under-21 international would go straight into contention for a place in the first team at Chelsea.