Liverpool reportedly had a bid rejected for Inter Milan forward Mauro Icardi in the final knockings of the transfer window. 

According to Corriere della Sera (h/t the Daily Mirror) the Reds made the bid for the Argentine on Monday before the deadline passed. Icardi has been left out of the Inter side for the last couple of matches by manager Roberto Mancini, sparking rumours about a possible move.

Although the 22-year-old may not be in favour at the San Siro currently, there is no denying his talent. Here’s a look at why he’s rated as one of the most exciting attacking players on the continent:

This term he’s netted eight goals in 19 Serie A appearances. The Nerazzurri star is a very technical forward, blessed with brilliant link-up skills, clever movement and, when given chances, an extremely composed head in front of goal. They’re qualities Liverpool lack at the point of the attack.

However, Sport Witness feel as though reports suggesting Icardi could be available for a knockdown fee are likely wide of the mark:

Indeed, while Icardi has been out of the side recently, he remains a key figure at Inter. He may not be the fastest, tallest or strongest forward around, but with their star striker in the side the San Siro club always preserve a much greater goal threat.

Liverpool decided not to liven up their attacking talent in the midseason window, and in their previous outing, a 2-0 defeat to Leicester City on Tuesday night, Jurgen Klopp’s side once again lined up without an orthodox centre-forward. It’s an area they will definitely need to address next season, though.

One player who may seek to give this side a jolt in 2016-17 is Lazar Markovic, who is on loan at Fenerbahce this term. According to the Serbian winger, the decision to ship him out on loan is due to a breakdown in relationship with former manager Brendan Rodgers.

“I had no problem with Rodgers and we had a bond until, for some reason that remains a mystery to me, he changed.” Markovic told Turkish website Fanatic (h/t Rory Brigstock-Barron of the MailOnline). “He stopped playing me and then at the start of the season he didn’t even include me in the squad. And nobody explained to me what was going on or what his plans were, so I decided to leave.”

Markovic has been a vibrant presence for Fenerbahce this term. Here is a look at some of his best moments since making the loan switch:

As noted by Bleacher Report’s Karl Matchett, it seems as though Liverpool supporters are keen to give the former Benfica man another chance:

One player who Liverpool supporters will definitely want their club to pursue at the end of the season is Alex Teixeira.

However, according to Calciomercato (h/t Will Giles of Metro), the Brazilian is a target for Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning, who are willing to pay £38 million to sign him from Shakhtar Donetsk. As reported by James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo, it’s an amount the Reds decided not to meet, and the player himself is said to be willing to wait until the summer to sort his future.

He’d certainly add the clinical edge in front of goal Liverpool need. As we can see here courtesy of Sport Witness’ Tom Coast, Teixeira’s goalscoring has been extremely impressive:

Although clubs in the Chinese Super League have flexed their muscles in the window as of late, it’d be a huge surprise to see Teixeira move to the division.

He’s on the cusp of the peak years of his career, after all, and will be keen to enjoy that spell with an established elite club in Europe. Liverpool, among others you suspect, would be willing to give him that chance.

Icardi could potentially be a solution to the Reds’ woes at centre-forward, although he’d be a costly signing in the summer. Christian Benteke, Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Danny Ings all have question marks over them and Klopp will want a forward who can marry industry and incision at Anfield.

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