According to reports from The Express, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has made signing Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi one of his priorities for the coming January transfer window.
After finishing last season as Serie A’s top scorer with 22 goals in 36 appearances, a number of Premier League sides targeted the 23-year-old during the summer transfer window – most particularly Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United – but Icardi appeared to end speculation over his San Siro future by signing a four-year contract extension in June and later accepting the Nerazzurri armband.
But rumours of an abrupt departure have resurfaced in recent weeks amid a significant slump in form, netting just three times across all competitions so far this term, that saw the Argentina international dropped for a 1-0 win over Serie A title rivals Roma at the start of November. Although he was reinstated at the tip of Inter’s starting Xi a week later, reports since have alleged Icardi is already eyeing a move away at the end of the season, with the Premier League or La Liga his preferred destinations.
According to The Express, however, Liverpool could look to force through a move in January instead. Klopp monitored the £25million-rated striker during his spell in charge of Borussia Dortmund and is now more keen to sign him than ever, having begun his Anfield tenure with just one fully fit striker at his disposal – 20-year-old Divock Origi. The Belgium international is still waiting upon his first goal for the Reds since arriving in the summer.
But widely considered to be one of the most exciting young strikers in European football, it seems unlikely Liverpool will be allowed to sign Icardi uncontested, should Inter Milan accept a bid. A recent injury to Theo Walcott has highlighted Arsenal’s lack of depth up top, Manchester United have scored the fewest goals of any team in the Premier League’s top seven this season and Chelsea are expected to arrest their poor season with a mini-overhaul in January – which could see striker Radamel Falcao’s year-long loan terminated six months early.
In short, all four clubs have a need to bolster their strike forces in January and Icardi one of the best options around.