Lazar Markovic joins Sporting Lisbon on loan

Liverpool have allowed Serbian winger Lazar Markovic to join Sporting Lisbon on a season-long loan.

It was reported earlier this evening that the 22-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Fenerbahce, had performed a late U-turn after initially deciding to remain with Liverpool for the 2016-17 campaign.

Sporting emerged as the favourites to sign the winger on loan and that deal has now gone through before the 11pm transfer deadline.

"Lazar Markovic has joined Sporting Lisbon on a season-long loan, Liverpool FC can confirm. The Serbia winger will spend the remainder of 2016-17 in Portugal with the Primeira Liga club," read a statement from Liverpool.

Newcastle United had previously been credited with an interest in the winger, who joined Liverpool from Benfica in the summer of 2014.