Liverpool Transfer News: Clint Dempsey Reportedly Close to Signing with Reds

Clint Dempsey is reportedly taking his talents to Merseyside.

According to Goal.com, the long-time Fulham standout is within arm's length of signing what new Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers calls an "exciting" deal.

"

"...Rodgers wants to snap Dempsey up this week, and hopes to lure him to Anfield with a 7.5 million pound bid..."

"

Why the sudden hurry? Why the sense of urgency?

Goal.com goes on to report that the Liverpool manager is dead set on having America's most talented footballer—sorry, Landon—when the Reds travel across the pond and play a series of preseason matches in North America.

Liverpool start their whirlwind tour on July 21 against Toronto FC at Rogers Centre in Toronto, then travel south to play Roma at Fenway Park in Boston on July 25 and finish up on July 28 against Tottenham at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

If Dempsey is indeed signed this week, he would most likely earn significant minutes in less-than-meaningful exhibition matches. Not only would it provide Dempsey a competitive place to break into new tactics, but it would also allow Rodgers to build some excitement for a Liverpool club competing against Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal for American support.

Dempsey has long said he wants to jump to a bigger club, telling The Daily Mail back in May, "The transfer window is open until August 31—it's no secret that I would like to play Champions League one day in my career."

Liverpool won't be playing in the Champions League—their Carling Cup victory secured them a spot in Europa—but Fulham haven't been close to Champions League in their 133-year history.

At least Liverpool have tasted Champions League glory, finishing in the top four of England's Premier League six times in the last decade.

If the contract negotiations go smoothly—and there's no reason to believe Liverpool don't have the cash and that Fulham won't happily deposit the check—Americans will finally get a chance to see how one of their own does at one of the biggest clubs in the world.