Liverpool FC Transfer News: Klopp Wants West Ham Loan Star

The Metro is the messenger once again, citing Bleacher Report as the source of latest transfer rumblings. Apparently Jürgen Klopp is looking at West Ham United loan star Manuel Lanzini as someone who can come in to help the team. Liverpool have asked to be "kept informed" of developments as West Ham try to make a deal permanent. That's it. Understandings and more understandings.

Someone understands that if Liverpool do not sign the 22-year-old, Klopp could sign a player from somewhere as he looks to improve Liverpool's squad. Sources can confirm that this player will be under 50 and will arrive either in the January or summer transfer window. Liverpool reportedly have more than £1 to spend as FSG seek to back a manager who is seen as a coup for the club. There is also an understanding that Klopp would prefer to sign players in their twenties as opposed to their thirties as he targets long-term progress at Anfield.

Lanzini has shown talent and is part of an interesting summer transfer window for West Ham. The mercurial Dimitri Payet has been a huge success so far but is out for the next three months, placing a greater creative burden on the youngsters shoulders. Lanzini is not a wide player with the speed to torch opposition defenders so may add to the glut of players at Anfield who seem to best fit playing behind the striker. He has featured with some success from the right, but it may be best to assess his positional suitability after a full season in English football. There's also the fact that he's most likely not coming to Anfield, but if a permanent deal cannot be arranged then you never know et cetera.

There's also the Slaven Bilić factor, which is not to be underestimated. He's given West Ham's players freedom to play, which should not be lost on a young player who has made a promising start to life in one the big European leagues. Three goals and an assist in 694 minutes represents commendable productivity for a first Premier League campaign, but the struggle now is to maintain it. It's not outlandish to think that such form has attracted the attention of Liverpool, but clubs keep tabs on players all the time.

Lanzini should sign a permanent deal with West Ham but wouldn't be the first to be seduced by the perceived glamour of wealthier and historically grander football clubs. He's a clever, technical player who could be one of the transfer successes of the season. The sensible course of action would be for Lanzini to remain where he is and for Liverpool to snare a gem from the Budesliga.