Liverpool are reportedly in a three-way tussle with Tottenham and Inter Milan for River Plate’s Argentine international Lucas Alario.

 

Liverpool have suffered their fair share of transfer failures in the recent past relating to strikers. While Mario Balotelli failed to replicate his Manchester City form after his return to the Premier League, Christian Benteke could not produce the same goods at Anfield as he had done for the recently relegated Aston Villa prior to last season.

Their failures have prompted Liverpool to move the duo on and the Reds are now left with Divock Origi, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Ings up front. Sturridge is always a concern in terms of fitness, while there are question marks over Ings’ and Origi’s pedigree to lead the Reds’ front-line.

Even though scoring goals does not appear to be a problem for Liverpool based on their start to the 2016-17 Premier League season, Jurgen Klopp would love to strengthen his options in the striking position. Spanish newspaper Marca are claiming that the Reds are eyeing a deal for River Plate’s 23-year-old striker Lucas Alario.

Alario is already an Argentina international, having played twice for the senior team. He managed a more-than-decent return of 11 goals last season for River Plate. The 23-year-old recently signed a contract extension till 2020 with the club that increased his minimum release clause to €18m.

Alario refers to playing football in Europe as his dream and looks like the Gods are starting to listen to him with a host of European clubs showing real interest in the striker. (Picture Courtesy - AFP/Getty Images)
Alario sees playing football in Europe as his dream and it looks like the Gods are starting to listen to him, with a host of European clubs showing real interest in the striker. (Picture Courtesy – AFP/Getty Images)

The report adds that if the player was to leave in the last two years of his new deal, River Plate would only be able to net 60% of the release clause as per the arrangement.

Liverpool, though, are not the only club interested in the striker, as Alario is reportedly on the radar of Tottenham, Benfica and Torino, while Inter Milan are also believed to be following the striker closely. The Nerazurri have made South America a scouting priority with the changes in their backroom staff.

La Pagina Millonaria reported that Genoa had made an offer for the player, while Tottenham are reportedly close to tabling an offer themselves. As such, Liverpool must move quickly if they are to secure a transfer for the striker who moved to River Plate only last year from CA Colon in a €2m deal.

Alario has seen his stock sky-rocket since his move to River Plate and subsequent appearance for the Argentina senior national team. The 23-year-old reportedly sees a transfer to Europe as his ‘dream move’ and could transfer to the illustrious Premier League given the interest of Liverpool and Tottenham.

Alario, though, has said that he is happy at River Plate and is unlikely to force a move away from the club, which means that the clubs will have to meet the player’s release clause in order to begin negotiations with the player.

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