Goran Grujic, the father of Serbian wonderkid and Liverpool target Marko Grujic, has said that he is resisting the player’s move to Anfield in January despite the clubs agreeing on a 5.1 million pound transfer earlier. Jurgen Klopp looked to have won the race for the 19-year-old who had attracted a lot of interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.
However, uncertainty looms over the proposed deal as Grujic’s father believes that his son is being forced out of the club for money.
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Serbian club Red Star Belgrade had accepted Liverpool's offer, which included loaning the player back until the end of the season for a return fee of £730,000. Grujic senior has confiscated the player’s passport and told Serbian paper Blic, “I will not let them ruin my child, his passport is with me and I pronounce that Marko is not going anywhere.”
“He became champion of the world, is on track to win the title with the red-whites, it is logical that his price per year will get even bigger,” he added.
Red Star forcing the move on Marko: Grujic
A club official had confirmed that the player will sign the deal and undergo a medical with the Merseyside club in the next three days, with Red Star desperately needing the money.
“The people who run the club [Red Star] have all turned their backs, others are penniless and there’s been a downturn in club sales. That is why we are being pressured,” Grujic said.
“After calling him ten times a day, they convinced him [Marko] to sign a new contract.”
“For him, there is also pressure in the locker room, because some players are convinced that their payments depend exclusively from club sales.” the player’s father added.
“I know my child. He has the quality to be able to play in England but it’s not the league for him now.”
Marko Grujic enjoying a stellar season at Red Star Belgrade
Grujic became a regular in the Red Star lineup this season after spending last season on loan at second division club Kolubara. He became famous when he was a part of Serbia’s U-20 team that beat Brazil to be crowned world champions back in July. The Serbian has made 21 appearances this season, scoring five goals in the process and has helped Red Star establish a 25 point lead at the top of the table.
Tall, rangy, comfortable on the ball and with a good range of passing, Grujic has been dubbed the 'new Nemanja Matic' back in his homeland. It is this adaptability which has made Grujic one of Europe's most sought-after teenagers. It is that adaptability which has made Grujic one of Europe's most sought-after teenagers.
Grujic made it clear he wants to remain with Red Star until the end of the season in a bid to help them qualify for the Champions League.
