Liverpool Summer Transfer Targets: Mateo Musacchio, Romelu Lukaku and More

With the frantic January transfer window coming to an exciting close, now the focus has shifted to the targets for the summer. 

The decisive manner in which the new owners have acted in the transfer market has reignited the hopes of all the Liverpool fans of attracting top players to Anfield again. 

The signings of Suarez and Carroll have proved that FSG are not wary of loosening their purse strings, if they feel a signing warrants huge spending. 

Even though Liverpool have signed on two strikers in January, they are still believed to be interested in Romelu Lukaku, the striker from Anderlecht billed as the next Drogba. They are facing competition from Chelsea in the signing, another team who seem to have no dearth of strikers with Drogba, Anelka and Torres already in the squad and Sturridge on loan to Bolton. 

Though, with Suarez and Carroll both in their early 20s and many of young strikers—Pacheco, Amoo, Eccelston, Suso—coming through the ranks, the focus on Lukaku's signing seems to be misplaced.

After signing a couple of strikers in the January window, Liverpool should look to strengthen the other departments, with a center back, wingers and a left back being the priority signings.

For the center back position, Mateo Musacchio has emerged as the top target. The young Argentine as become a regular starter at Villareal after moving to the team from River Plate in 2009. 

He has caught the fancy of a lot of top clubs across Europe with a string of fine performances. With his long-term contract at Villareal, the club officially says that the player is not for sale.

Comolli and Liverpool, though, believe that they could land the promising youngster for €4m. With the player fitting the billing for FSG's policy of signing youngsters, this looks like a likely move. 

If the deal for Musacchio does fall through, Liverpool are believed to be lining up Davide Santon, who is currently on loan at Cesena from Inter Milan. With the need for replacing Carragher becoming more and more important as time passes, the signing of a center back would be a priority and either Musacchio or Santon would fit the billing. 

With Carroll being a strong player in the air, Liverpool do need quality wingers to provide the service and wings is one of the areas that Liverpool have been found most wanting in the recent past.

Ashley Young has been on the radar for far too long and with his contract due to expire in 2012, Villa would definitely look to cash in on arguably the best player they have in the squad. Comolli has openly spoken about Liverpool's interest in the player. However, with the cash-splashing Manchester City also interested in the winger, Liverpool would definitely not be getting Young's services cheaply. 

Another winger whom Liverpool are looking to sign is Eden Hazard. Initially, the competition seemed to be between Arsenal and Liverpool, but recently even Chelsea have shown interest in securing the services of the player.

With Abrahmovic reigniting his interest in Chelsea, expect the signing of Hazard to be a tough three-way battle. The player is expected to cost in the range of €18m, but with three top clubs interested now, he may cost much more.

When the club tried to secure the services of Charlie Adam in January, it was clear that Liverpool also want to strengthen the center of the midfield. But whether the club turns back to Charlie Adam in the summer or makes someone else their target is yet to be seen. A distant possibility might also be the return of Aquilani from Juventus, though Juventus are widely believed to be keen on exercising their buyout option.

A left back also seems in the offing but no concrete names have been mentioned yet. Even though both Liverpool and Manchester United have been linked with the Portugal and Benfica left back Fabio Coentrao, nothing concrete seems to be in the pipeline yet.

Its early days,but with the transfer market being so competitive lately, it would be wise to start working on the transfer as soon as possible and it is believed that Comolli is already talking to a lot of possible suitors. 

The new owners seem to back Dalglish in the transfer market. Dalglish himself seems to be on the way to securing himself a long-term deal at Liverpool. Dalglish, by all accounts, is an astute manager has been able to rejuvenate the club and has a great eye for talent. So, expect some great signings from him the the summer. 

If Liverpool are able to get the players they want, the day would not be far when Liverpool would be fighting for the top honours again.