Liverpool have ended Sporting Lisbon’s plans to sign Lazar Markovic.
A move to bring the Serbia winger, who spent last season on loan at Fenerbahce, back to Portugal appeared to be viable amid Sporting’s interest.
But the Reds are reportedly refusing to entertain a loan deal for Markovic, which has put paid to any hopes of a move to the Lisbon club.
SapoDeportivo claim that Anfield officials remain determined to offload the 22-year-old, a £20 million signing from Benfica in 2014, on a permanent basis.
Sporting favoured a loan move for Markovic, 22, due to the excessive financial demands both a transfer fee and the players’ wages would incur.