Liverpool have reportedly moved ahead of Premier League rivals Chelsea in the race to sign Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi.

The Argentinian was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer, but the transfer never materialised, per Simon Johnson in the Evening Standard.

It is now being reported that the Reds are the front-runners to sign Icardi and are prepared to table a €35 million (£24.5 million) bid for the Inter captain, per Italian outlet Tuttosport (via Sport Witness).

The report adds that Liverpool could be prepared to raise their bid to €45 million (£31.6 million) if Icardi starts scoring at the same regularity as he did last season.

The 22-year-old netted 22 Serie A goals in 2014-15 but has managed only four in 11 appearances in the new campaign, per WhoScored.com.

Icardi was even recently dropped by Inter manager Roberto Mancini for a key Serie A clash against Roma.

Icardi’s current contract with Inter runs to 2019, but it seems Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp may be interested in shelling out a significant transfer fee to take him to Anfield.

The Reds have depth in their attacking line, but a long-term injury to Danny Ings and regular fitness problems with Christian Benteke and Daniel Sturridge have indicated that they may yet need further additions.

Icardi is undoubtedly a talent, and his Serie A scoring record is very respectable for a player still with much improving to do, per Opta:

Klopp has the coaching acumen to turn Icardi—something of a rough diamond—into a top-class striker, but he may not be worth gambling on considering his inconsistent form.

The German manager is slowly but surely making a difference at Liverpool and engineered an emphatic 4-1 win away at Manchester City on Saturday with Benteke and Sturridge both left on the bench. 

If Klopp truly believes Icardi can be a key part of his rebuild at Anfield, then he should go in for him, but he must be sure if Liverpool are to shell out over £20 million.

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