Jurgen Klopp is close to making Marko Grujic his first Liverpool signing.

The 19-year-old from Red Star Belgrade has agreed to join Liverpool on a five year contract but will initially be loaned back to the Serbian league leaders.

The Serbia Under 20 international midfielder is expected to fly to England and undergo a medical before returning to Belgrade where their season is on a winter break.

Red Star are due to pay Liverpool a loan fee of around £730,000 as part of the deal.

Despite interest from Inter Milan, Udinese and Sassuolo, Bundesliga side Stuttgart were understood to be the club who made a bid closest to rivalling Liverpool's.

Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre flew to Belgrade last week to tip the deal in Liverpool's favour after Klopp had spoken to Grujic to underline his desire to sign him.

Liverpool are also interested in Joel Matip of Schalke and his teammate Leroy Sane.

Matip, a 24-year-old defender, is out of contract in the summer and free to talk to foreign clubs from next month.

Schalke coach Horst Heldt had recently claimed the club is yet to receive any offers to buy Matip in the January transfer window.

Source: MailOnline