Liverpool Transfer News: Reds Chase Manuel Lanzini in Latest Rumours

Liverpool have reportedly been keeping tabs on West Ham United midfielder Manuel Lanzini with a view to a possible summer move.

According to Ole (h/t Sport Witness), the Argentina international "remains in Liverpool's sights" having been tracked by the Reds "for months." 

It's said Lanzini is a popular figure at the London Stadium and the Hammers would not want to see him leave. After some positive form following a return from injury, it's suggested the West Ham man is in contention to be part of the Argentina squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Sport Witness relayed how the story was covered on Twitter:

Lanzini was the star man for West Ham on Sunday in the Premier League, as he scored two fine goals to help the Hammers get past Everton in a 3-1 win.

The midfielder struck twice from outside the penalty area, providing a glimpse of the quality he can bring in the final third. Additionally, his balance on the ball, tight control and incisive passing make the 25-year-old a wonderful player to watch.

While he's never been the most productive in the final third, Lanzini is slowly making strides in this area, as noted by the WHUFC Bulletin account:

Although he's been inconsistent this season, the Argentina star is often a bright spark for a Hammers side that has toiled throughout 2017-18. And surrounded by better attacking players, he could blossom.

It would be intriguing to see him at Liverpool with that in mind. The Reds had a player stylistically similar to Lanzini in Philippe Coutinho earlier in the season before Barcelona paid huge money to prise him away from Anfield.

Lanzini is not on the same level as Coutinho at the moment, although like the Brazilian, he knits play together well and is capable of operating in central positions or wider areas.

Bleacher Report's Dean Jones said in the summer that the Reds were considering the West Ham player as a potential replacement for their former No. 10:

Liverpool don't have a player like Lanzini in the squad, although late in the 2017-18 campaign, they benefitted from packing the middle of the pitch with energetic players to supplement their front three.

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Additionally, the club will also add Naby Keita to their ranks in the summer, a player who can break forward, find passes and score goals. With that in mind, it's difficult to see where Lanzini would get into the team on a regular basis.

For now, the Argentinian remains a player with potential and someone who could become a Premier League star if he added more consistency to his game. It would be a surprise if Lanzini ended up a Liverpool player this summer considering the Reds' options in his position.