Middlesbrough fail in their efforts to sign Marko Grujic on loan

Middlesbrough have failed in an attempt to recruit Marko Grujic on a season-long loan deal, according to a report from the Evening Standard.

Grujic is a man in demand this summer and has been heavily linked with an exit from Anfield in recent times. Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis had allegedly identified the 22-year-old as a top target, but Grujic was not especially enthused by the prospect of playing at the Riverside Stadium.

Championship clubs are still able to recruit players on temporary deals but it seems Grujic had no intention to drop back down to the Championship after helping Cardiff City to the Premier League last term.

The Bluebirds returned with a fresh summer swoop for Grujic but the Serbian international opted to decline a second spell under Neil Warnock.

Recent reports have indicated that CSKA Moscow have expressed an interest in taking Grujic on loan this summer and as per the Evening Standard’s report, this could be an attractive proposition for all of the involved parties.

Nevertheless, Liverpool are believed to be keen on tying Grujic down to a new long-term contract on Merseyside before allowing him to leave on loan.