According to a report from The Liverpool Echo, Juventus forward Paulo Dybala is not on Liverpool’s transfer shortlist this summer. The Argentina international has been linked with a move to Anfield in recent weeks following the reports that Cristiano Ronaldo is set to move to the Italian giants, and with that now a done deal, speculation is likely to further arise regarding Dybala’s future. 

And while the 24-year-old is not currently on Jurgen Klopp’s list of transfer targets, he absolutely should be in what would be a serious statement of intent from the Reds were they to land the £99 million-rated ace (as per Transfermarkt). 

The Breakdown

Ultimately, the Reds deserve enormous credit for securing back-to-back top four finishes in the Premier League, as well as reaching the Champions League final last season, where they came up short against Real Madrid.

But for Klopp’s men to make that next step and challenge for the title and major honours on a regular basis, more quality is needed in that Liverpool squad, not least in the forward ranks where the depth is simply not there.

Outside of the lethal front three of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah, the options available to Klopp simply aren’t anywhere near the level of the trio, what with Danny Ings and Dominic Solanke the next in command – Ings has struggled with injury, while it took Solanke until the final league game of last season to open his Reds account.

Thus, it’s clear that to compete with the likes of Manchester City at the summit of the Premier League, Klopp absolutely has to bolster his ranks, which is exactly what the arrival of Dybala would do.

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The 24-year-old has proven to be one of the most exciting attackers in European football in the last few years in netting 68 goals in just 140 appearances for Juventus, 26 of which came last season in their run to a seventh successive Serie A title, as well as the last eight of the Champions League.

Nonetheless, Ronaldo’s arrival is likely to spell bad news for the Argentine in his bid to continue excelling in Turin, which is why Klopp simply must keep tabs on the 24-year-old given he could well be interested in a move away this summer.

Significantly, landing Dybala would be exactly the sort of addition that would make the rest of the Premier League, specifically their top six rivals, take note that the Reds are ready to challenge for the title once again, 28 years since they last won it.

As such, so while the Argentina international isn’t currently on Klopp’s shortlist, he absolutely should be in what would be a huge statement of intent from the Merseysiders were they to get a deal done.

Liverpool fans… what do you think? Let us know!