Liverpool Transfer News: 'Big Summer' Promised amid Memphis Depay Deal Rumours

Although Liverpool’s chances of securing UEFA Champions League football look bleak in the final embers of the current campaign, the club’s manager, Brendan Rodgers, has promised a summer of significance amid more rumours regarding a potential swoop for Memphis Depay.

As noted by David Maddock of the Daily Mirror, Rodgers is plotting an assault on the Premier League title next season despite currently languishing in fifth position in the table. When asked if he thought Liverpool were far off those levels, the manager insisted some offensive replenishment could quickly transform the club’s fortunes:

"

It is. It’s small in terms of what we need, but it’s key to how we can function.

When I first came here, I talked about the need to improve the goal tally, and we did that. Now we’re back at the same situation where I need to improve and we need find a way to do that.

It will be a big summer for us to find the right type of player.

"

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One of those players apparently in his sights is Depay. The PSV Eindhoven star has lit up the Eredivisie this season with his brash brand of encapsulating wing play, and it’s no surprise clubs of Liverpool’s immense stature are linked with a move for him.

Bleacher Report's Adam Lefkoe and Sam Tighe took a look at some other potential transfers that could potentially push Liverpool back towards the Premier League summit:

As noted by John Richardson of the Daily Express, both Liverpool and Manchester United have been linked with the winger. But the piece claims that despite Old Trafford initially looking like the player’s most likely destination, the Reds have agreed a £20 million fee with PSV. After discussions, the player was apparently "impressed with Liverpool's ambitions and the fact that he is clearly wanted on Anfield."

Depay has also admitted it would be “fantastic” to move to an illustrious club in the summer window too, per Daniel Prescott of the MailOnline:

"

If that would become reality, it would be fantastic. It is a dream to make a transfer with such a big impact.

But I already said, there is a lot of speculation and a lot of stories, but I don't know how things will work out, so let's wait and see. It would be great to go to one of the big competitions this summer but for now I don't want to speak about that.

"

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For Liverpool, Depay would be a real coup. All the requisite qualities are there for the player to go and become a world-class talent, while Rodgers has also shown an acumen for developing capricious young stars into thoroughbred players, with Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho the most obvious examples.

As noted by Squawka Football, Depay has the fundamental instincts to be a real hit in the Premier League too:

Beating United to his signature would be the gloss on any potential move, and the Reds faithful will be desperate to see their side show some initiative in the transfer window. Indeed, while the club looked to invest in youth last summer after the sale of Luis Suarez, it failed to bring in any superstar names to help fill the void left by the Uruguayan’s transfer to Barcelona.

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Writing in a column for the Liverpool Echo, former Reds player John Aldridge thinks that a lack of ambition in the transfer window has contributed to Liverpool’s demise from regular title winners:

"

Whoever the manager, whoever is in charge of the signings. we just don’t buy well enough, and it costs us dearly.

Look at this season, for example. How much different would our campaign have been had we got our business right last summer? How much different would it be had we had signed Alexis Sanchez?

We held all the cards with that one. We had Luis Suarez, and Barcelona wanted him. Suarez should not have been allowed to join Barcelona until Sanchez was signed on at Anfield.

If we’d have done that deal, our season would have been very different. And so would Arsenal’s.

"

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Depay would certainly be a step in the right direction. While he may not be a player who is in the elite bracket quite yet, his potential is stratospheric, as is evident by the stature of clubs apparently keen on signing him. But for the time being, it’s going to be tough for Liverpool to lure these players to the club without the incentive of Champions League football.

One player who could represent an intriguing capture is Stevan Jovetic. The Montenegrin international has struggled for form and fitness at Manchester City and, according to Paul Clennam of Goal.com, the Reds are keen to hand the former Fiorentina man a lifeline in the transfer window:

Jovetic was highly rated prior to his move to Manchester. Here’s a look at why:

If Liverpool were able to rekindle Jovetic’s best form, he’d be a savvy purchase. He’s a skilful and versatile forward, the kind of player who would be an ideal foil up front for the dynamic play of Daniel Sturridge.

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But it’d be a major gamble for the Reds. While Jovetic hasn’t been given a fair crack at City, he has failed to make any sort of telling impact on most occasions when featured on the team. After taking a risk on Mario Balotelli last summer that’s failed to pay off—moving for the former Viola star would be a different kind of gamble altogether—expect Rodgers to play things a lot safer this summer.