Marko Grujic to Liverpool: Red Star Belgrade midfielder to become Jurgen Klopp's first signing at Anfield

Liverpool are closing in on completing Jurgen Klopp's first signing as Marko Grujic is set to enter into a five-year deal at Anfield. The German manager was appointed after the club showed Brendan Rodgers the exit door in October.

According to Goal.com, the Red Star Belgrade midfielder will have his medical on Monday (4 January) after arriving in England on Sunday. His move to the Merseyside club is expected to be completed soon and will then be loaned out to the Serbian outfit until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old has been tracked by Liverpool in recent times. Red Star confirmed the two clubs have agreed a fee of €7m (5.1m, €7.6m) for the transfer of Grujic, who will be joining his new club in the summer following his loan spell.

He won the Fifa Under 20 World Cup with Serbia after defeating Brazil in the final. Grujic, who can operate as a deep or in advance midfield role, has scored five goals and managed seven assists for Red Star, who are leading the Serbian league table.

Red Star's financial difficulties allowed them to cash in on the sale of the midfielder. The player's father was unhappy with the club's decision to allow Grujic to leave after they forced him to sign a contract with Liverpool.

"I will not let them ruin my child! The people who run the club have all turned their backs, some remain penniless and the club's sales have dropped. That is why he is being pressured," Grujic Snr told Serbian outlet Blic.

"Ten times a day, they call the phone and convince him to sign the contract [with Liverpool]. For him, there is also a pressure in the dressing room, because it seems some players are convinced money owed to them depends solely on the sale of Marko."

Despite the comments by Grujic's father, the deal is likely to go ahead. Earlier in December, Red Star sporting director Zvezdan Terzic confirmed the midfielder's move to Anfield and also revealed the player will wear the No 8 shirt at Anfield, which was previously worn by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.