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Although Liverpool are yet to make a splurge in the transfer market, the summer transfer window is well underway. Liverpool's arch-rivals, Manchester United, have already announced two big-name signings of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.
The Red Devils now look like serious title contenders for the upcoming Premier League season, and this puts the emphasis back on title aspirants like Liverpool to make some new acquisitions.
Liverpool are in desperate need of a forward, especially in a wider role, to provide a much-needed backup to the trio of Mane, Firmino and Salah. At the same time, Liverpool will focus their attention on English players due to the "homegrown quota" rule that the English FA has had in place for a number of years.
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Liverpool find themselves right on the periphery of the 17-player limit for non- "homegrown" players. The Reds have recently released foreign players like Georginio Wijnaldum and Marko Grujic to make room for incoming foreign players, but are intent on stocking the homegrown players' department.
On that note, let's take a look at the five best attackers Liverpool could sign this summer.
Liverpool's transfer options to reinforce their attack
#5 Dusan Vlahovic
Liverpool have been heavily linked with Serbian international Dusan Vlahovic in the past few weeks.
The 21-year-old produced impressive performances for Fiorentina last season and has attracted interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs. The likes of Juventus and Tottenham have been heavily linked with the rising star, who is currently valued by Fiorentina at around £52million, according to MailOnline.
Vlahovic was extremely impressive for a mid-table Fiorentina side last season, notching up 21 goals in the 2020-21 Serie A. He was involved in over 44% of La Viola's Serie A goals last season, as he also notched up two assists in 37 appearances.
The Serbian is a lethal goalscorer and will undoubtedly be an excellent signing for Liverpool in the short and long run. However, Liverpool will face tough competition in the transfer market, and the pandemic economy might price them out of a deal.
#4 Jarrod Bowen
Due to the English FA-enforced foreign players' quota, Liverpool are in desperate need of signing some homegrown talent.
In such a scenario, Jarrod Bowen could prove to be an excellent fit at Anfield and showcased impressive performances for West Ham last season, especially in the second half.
According to several reports, Bowen will cost Liverpool in excess of £35 million, and the Reds have expressed strong interest in signing the West Ham forward.
Playing in all of West Ham's 38 Premier League encounters last season, Bowen racked up a tally of 8 goals and 5 assists. The 21-year old made the move to West Ham just 18 months prior but may soon don the reds of Liverpool in the upcoming season.
#3 Federico Chiesa
Liverpool are reportedly interested in Euro 2020 winner Federico Chiesa, who has emerged as one of the most promising forwards on the continent.
At the tender age of 23, Chiesa already possesses pedigree and class, as he showcased with his stellar performances for the national side. The winger did not begin Italy's Euro 2020 journey in the starting lineup, but slowly worked his way into the first XI with stellar performances throughout the campaign.
Chiesa won the Man of the Match award for his excellent showing against Spain in the semi-finals, where he opened the scoring in the 60th minute. In 43 appearances across all competitions this season, the Italian was directly involved in 24 goals (14 goals, 10 assists) from 43 appearances for the Bianconeri.
According to Football Italia, Liverpool recently had a rejected bid of €100m for Chiesa but remain keen on signing the forward. However, Fabrizio Romano stated in a tweet that the Italian superstar is considered 'untouchable.'
Liverpool will also face competition from Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Manchester City for the 23-year old's signature.
#2 Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa earned plaudits for impressive performances throughout the 2020-21 Premier League season and Ollie Watkins deserves immense praise for his part in it.
In 37 Premier League appearances last season, Watkins notched up a tally of 14 goals and 5 assists. The 25-year old also found the net on two occasions in Aston Villa's Carabao Cup campaign, and ended the season as the club's leading goalscorer.
Much like Bowen, Ollie Watkins could provide balance to the Liverpool squad in more ways than one. The young Englishman will fulfill the requirements of "homegrown" players for Liverpool and has consistently displayed his attacking prowess since his move to Villa Park in 2020.
Aston Villa coughed up £33 million for the forward just a season prior, and Liverpool might have to pay over £45 million to persuade Villa to sell one of their prized assets.
#1 Adama Traore
Adama Traore has been one of the most exciting players to watch in English football over the past few seasons, and could soon be seen in the reds of Liverpool.
The departure of Nuno Espirito Santo after four memorable seasons at Wolverhampton Wanderers has led to a massive rejig in the backroom staff. This could convince some players to look for opportunities elsewhere, and one such player may be Adama Traore.
The explosive forward has proven his goalscoring pedigree in England's top flight since his move to the Molineux in 2018.
Traore rose to the fore in the 2019-20 season, with 6 goals and 12 assists in 54 appearances across all competitions last season (including Europa League Qualifying). The 25-year old's progress somewhat stalled in the 2020-21 campaign.
However, he managed to ensure a decent end to the season, with two goals and as many assists in his last nine Premier League appearances.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is reportedly a big admirer of the La Masia graduate and could land the wide man for a cut-price deal of £30 million.
