Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reportedly sees Manuel Lanzini as an important addition to his attacking line ahead of the next season.

Liverpool are pondering over the idea of making a summer move to sign Argentine attacking midfielder Manuel Lanzini from West Ham United, according to a report from Argentine outlet Diario Ole (h/t Mirror).

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp remains keen on filling the void left by the departure of playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who joined Barcelona in the January transfer window for £142 million and has identified Lanzini as the man to fill the vacant shoes of the Brazilian international.

It is not the first time Liverpool have been linked with a move for Lanzini, with the Merseysiders credited with an interest in January earlier this year as well.

Liverpool have been unstoppable in the second half of the season, despite the loss of Coutinho to Barcelona. However, Klopp is worried that an injury to any of his frontline attackers could hamper his team and is understood to be intent on bolstering his squad to avoid that situation.

The 25-year old Lanzini joined West Ham United from Al Jazira in the summer of 2015, initially on loan, before the East Londoners made the move a permanent one in 2016, after being impressed by his displays. Till date he has made 96 appearances for the Hammers scoring 18 goals and chalking up 15 assists in the process.

Anfield calling? (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
Anfield calling? (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

In the ongoing season, the three-time capped Argentina international has featured 23 times in all competitions producing returns of 3 goals and 8 assists.

Currently away on international duty with Argentina, where he scored for La Albiceleste in a friendly win against Italy, Lanzini insisted that he is “very happy” and “comfortable” at West Ham United, but hinted he is not sure of what the future has in store of him, amid interest from Liverpool.

 “I’ve always said I am very happy at the club and it’s a club where I feel very comfortable and I really enjoy working with this group of players. I always give 100% for the club. I don’t know what will happen in the future, but today I am very, very happy and I love playing here.”

Lanzini might not be considered at the same level as Coutinho at the moment, but the Argentine shares a lot of qualities with the Brazilian playmaker and has everything that is needed to make the step up for Liverpool if he does end up moving to Anfield in the summer.

Lanzini’s contract with West Ham runs till the summer of 2020, which puts them in a commanding position to demand a sizeable fee for his services – a figure that shouldn’t prove to be much of a problem for Liverpool.

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