Lazar Markovic Reportedly Set to Return to Fenerbahce

When the transfer window closed in England last week with Lazar Markovic still at Liverpool, it seemed an unfortunate end to the summer in the case of a player who desperately needs to move on in search of playing time and a resurrection of his once-promising career.

A season in the reserves, maybe a few minutes in the League Cup. That isn’t what the now 23-year-old winger needs. What he needs is a new home. What he needs is minutes. Fortunately, with the transfer window still open in Portugal and Turkey, he might still get his move.

It probably won’t be permanent if it comes, but a loan is better than nothing for the Serbian who has two years yet to run on his Liverpool contract, and rumblings in Turkey at least have Fenerbahce interested in bringing the player back for another go of it in the Turkish Super Lig.

Markovic previously spent time at Fenerbahce, a loan spell during the 2015-16 season that—aside from a few highlight-worthy moments that allowed some Liverpool fans to hold on to their belief the player was a star in the making—can only be called largely disappointing.

Injuries were an issue for Markovic in Turkey, as they have been since he signed for Liverpool in the summer of 2014, and he made just 21 total appearances in all competitions for Fenerbahce, scoring two goals and three assists for a goal involvement every 239 minutes.

Fenerbahce, though, didn’t manage to get in all the players they needed over the summer and now desperately need a few bodies in in attack. And Markovic is available. As far as football transfers go, it’s fair to say it looks something of a marriage of convenience.

Markovic, though, needs a move and at least the chance to play first team football. And Liverpool would like to get his wages off the books. And Fenerbahce need to bring in an attacker. So this may be the best that all parties can manage at this stage.