Liverpool Transfer News: Memphis Depay Rumours, Eduardo Salvio Deal Nears

Memphis Depay has reportedly told Manchester United he wants to move to Old Trafford in the summer, delivering a big blow to Liverpool's chances of landing the highly rated winger.

Goal's Greg Stobart reports United and PSV have been talking about a potential transfer and are making "strong progress," while the Dutch international himself is keen on the move:

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Memphis Depay has told Manchester United he wants to join them as they close in on a deal to bring thePSV star to Old Trafford, Goal understands.

The £22 million-rated winger is one of European football's hottest properties and is also a leading target for Liverpool and Tottenham this summer, with both clubs sending scouts to watch him in recent weeks.

United, though, are confident that Depay will join the club and sources have told Goal they are making 'strong progress' both in negotiations with PSV and the 21-year-old’s representatives.

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The 21-year-old has a strong relationship with Louis van Gaal, as reported by Stobart, and because of this, the Red Devils were always seen as the favourites to land his signature.

As shared by Dutch football writer Elko Born, the youngster even asked Van Gaal for advice when his name was being mentioned as a possible target for Tottenham Hotspur:

Since then, Depay has continued his development, playing a massive part in PSV's dominant campaign in the Dutch league. Per Stobart, he has already found the net 22 times in just 33 matches, a staggering amount of goals for such a young player.

Depay is far from a finished product—his performances in Europe haven't been nearly as strong—and the Dutch league has a horrible reputation when it comes to defending, often inflating the goal-tally of forwards, but even taking that into account, there's no denying his obvious talent.

WhoScored are already comparing him to a certain United legend, writing for talkSPORT:

Liverpool could certainly use a player like Depay going into next season, and with the Dutchman expected to leave PSV during the summer, the race for his services is starting to heat up.

But as long as Van Gaal is in charge of United, the Red Devils will have the advantage. The manager was responsible for launching his international career, and with Angel Di Maria continuing to struggle, United have a real need for another wide man.

Depay isn't the only star winger the Reds are talking to, however. According to O Jogo (h/t Metro's Jamie Sanderson), the club is making excellent progress ahead of a potential deal for Benfica's Eduardo Salvio:

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The Reds have been scouting the Argentine for months and have now decided to move in to do business.

According to reports in Spain, talks have started over a transfer and they have advanced quickly, with Liverpool confident of sealing the deal.

Benfica are keen to get Salvio’s full £43.6million buy-out clause amount, but the switch is set to happen for a fee below that.

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O Jogo previously reported the player had entered contract discussions with his current club, via Metro's Lewis Rudd, with an eye on lowering his current release clause in exchange for one or two additional years on his current deal.

According to Portuguese football expert Jan Hagen, it's not the first time both parties have tried to come to some kind of an arrangement:

O Jogo's report that Liverpool have now approached Benfica is good news, but fans shouldn't start ordering their custom shirts just yet. The reported buyout clause of £43.6 million is ridiculously high for Salvio, who is a very good player but doesn't have the look of a future star.

The fact Salvio's agent has already met with Benfica several times regarding a new contract is also worrying. It wouldn't be the first time an agent used the interest of a big international club as a bargaining chip to obtain a better contract for his client.

O Jogo have been all over this story the past week, so expect an update on the situation in a couple of days.

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