Lazar Markovic 'holds talks with Fiorentina over move'

Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic has reportedly entered negotiations with Fiorentina over a possible summer move.

Markovic has been told that he is free to leave Anfield during the current transfer window having not played a competitive match for the club since 2014-15, spending the last two seasons out on loan.

Manager Jurgen Klopp is keen to offload the Serbian on a permanent basis this summer, with Hull City - where he spent the second half of last season on loan - and Watford rumoured to be interested.

However, Fiorentina have now reportedly emerged as frontrunners to sign the 23-year-old, who has been left out of the squad for pre-season friendlies in Germany to hold talks with the Serie A outfit.

Liverpool are hopeful of recouping as much as £16m for the winger, who joined from Benfica for £21m in 2014.

Markovic made just 19 Premier League appearances for the Reds before being sent out on loan to Fenerbahce, Sporting Lisbon and Hull.