Prem duo and Villa enquire over Liverpool midfielder

Ian Watson

Aston Villa, West Ham and Huddersfield have all enquired about taking Liverpool’s Marko Grujic on loan, according to a report.

The midfielder’s agent, Zoran Stojadinovic, said in November he would look for a move in January to ensure more playing time for Grujic.

Stojadinovic told Serbian newspaper Blic that his client “needed to go somewhere he will play” but didn’t want him to change footballing cultures by moving abroad.

And Reds boss Jurgen Klopp concurred last month.

“He’s right, Marko deserves to play more now,” Klopp said. “If it’s not possible here then we need to think about it (a loan).

“I like the boy a lot. He has made progress like hell. His heading is outstanding but he doesn’t make the squad a lot which isn’t the best thing for him for sure.”

Grujic has made six appearances this term, but he has made just three substitute appearances in the Premier League and he has not been in the squad since the 5-1 win over Brighton at the start of December.

ESPN report Aston Villa are “extremely keen” on Grujic, while West Ham have also registered an interest, along with Huddersfield, whose manager David Wagner is one of Klopp’s closest friends.

The Terriers though are close to signing Alex Pritchard from Norwich for £12million and that may well curtail their interest in central midfielder Grujic, unless they plan to sign the pair of them.

Grujic signed from Red Star Belgrade in a £5.1million deal in 2015.