:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/35520904/175093285.0.jpg)
There was some initial hesitation surrounding Liverpool's pursuit of Lazar Markovic, mostly based on the fact that Chelsea were poised to disrupt the move if they wanted to. The London club had first option and would have been able to purchase the young forward for a cut-rate price, and given that Liverpool have been beaten to the punch on high-profile targets a number of times in the past few years, concerns about whether or not they'd actually be able to complete the deal were justified.
Worry gave way to relief early this week, though, as Chelsea decided against purchasing the player, freeing Liverpool up to finalize the transfer after meeting Benfica's valuation. A medical was expected during the middle part of the week only to be delayed by unspecified "logistical issues" at the last minute, which may or may not have had to do with the fact that Liverpool were selling their best player in the summer's biggest transfer deal.
It also may or may not have had to do with the fact that Markovic wasn't even in Liverpool yet, a reality which has apparently since been remedied:
Lazar Markovic leaves Lisbon with brother Filip and agent Ulisses Santos to become €25m Liverpool player. #LFC #SLB pic.twitter.com/2P33yXalpS
— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) July 12, 2014
On the scale of Luis Suarez at the train station last summer to Adam Lallana leaning, I'd solidly place this one at a Divock Origi visiting Melwood. Which is to say that it's probably a something, especially if we consider one of the more trusted names on Twitter as a proxy for what Markovic probably would have said:
It's been real. Now off to prove my doubters wrong. Doing BIG things as soon as I get to my country
— Jesmar Suarez (@Jayy_Boogie_) June 20, 2014
Done deal, then.
