Liverpool Transfer News: Raheem Sterling to Fund Memphis Depay, Latest Rumours

A summer revolution in Liverpool's attacking department could rest on whether or not Raheem Sterling remains at Anfield, with Memphis Depay and Christian Benteke being looked at should he exit.

Of that pair, PSV Eindhoven's Depay would be a more natural replacement, and the Reds have been given hope in his pursuit after the Mirror's David McDonnell reported Manchester United are "exploring other options."

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It's been touted that Red Devils chief Louis van Gaal, who mentored Depay in his former post as Netherlands coach, was front-runner in the race to sign the Eredivisie's top scorer.

In any case, the Premier League seems a likely destination for the Dutch talisman, with former Chelsea and PSV sporting director Frank Arnesen quoted by Perform (h/t Goal.com's Harry West) saying:

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For me, it's 99.9 per cent [that Depay will move to the Premier League]. 

Yes, he will [be a success]. I've seen him many times this season and he is going from strength to strength, even though he's only 21-years-old. 

It's difficult to stop him. It will, of course, take time because it's totally different than in Eredivisie. The level is so much higher here, playing much more games, so he needs to be protected.

"

There is that bothersome trend with Eredivisie imports struggling to adapt in England, with Afonso Alves and Jozy Altidore sitting as some of the examples of players who have failed upon moving to the Premier League.

But after scoring 21 goals in 28 league appearances this season, Depay has stood out as a superbly prolific asset, one who could supplant the worrying dip in scoring Liverpool have endured this term.

Despite Liverpool failing to hit the same scoring heights of 2013-14, Goal.com's Wayne Veysey says Sterling is one of the few, genuine Champions League-quality players at Anfield:

Sterling is but one of a number of players falling short of the standards set last season, perhaps in no small part due to the contract negotiations off the field that may have done his on-pitch performances no good.

According to Bleacher Report columnist and ex-Anfield attacker Stan Collymore, the England youngster is putting his career on the line with some of his recent shenanigans:

Although Depay has thrived mainly in a central attacking role at PSV this season, the 21-year-old is familiar with playing out wide having started as a winger for both club and country.

And according to FourFourTwo's Elko Born, Depay may go on to reach a similar playing standard as the man he could ultimately replace, Sterling:

Liverpool will undoubtedly do all within their power to convince Sterling his future remains on Merseyside, given that he's a proven Premier League asset and is only likely to improve in those stakes.

However, Depay is a similarly gifted forward capable of playing in numerous positions across the forward line and would pose a natural target for Brendan Rodgers should he be forced to seek reinforcements.

Tim Sherwood Admits Benteke Could Move

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Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood is content with his role played in getting the club back to goalscoring ways, but Benteke's improved run in front of goal could lead to a departure, the ex-Spurs boss admits.

Sherwood would be more inclined to let the striker leave for pastures new rather than hold on to a player he knows would rather be elsewhere, according to McDonnell's report:

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If a player doesn’t want to play for the club any more and the club he wants to go to meets the valuation, it’s best to let them go. It will be just a market value - what’s out there. I don’t want to talk about selling Christian when I’ve got no intention of doing that. So it would have to be a lot of money for someone to get him off us.

We are looking for players ourselves, so we know how much other clubs are looking at [as fees] for their players. He’ll be too expensive for a great deal of people in the Premier League. We want to keep our best players - and he’s certainly one of those.

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Liverpool may find themselves in the minority of English outfits able to afford the Belgium international, whose recent run of form has seen him notch nine goals in his last eight league outings.

Martin Laurence of WhoScored.com is under no illusions regarding the forward's ability, insisting he could go from leader of a relegation candidate to top-four hero were he to leave Villa Park:

Sherwood's comments would give Liverpool a great deal of hope in their pursuit of Benteke, but now the question diverts to what Villa believe is an appropriate fee for their star's services.

With Daniel Sturridge re-joining the club's injury list, Liverpool chief Rodgers has been forced to once again assess his striking options, with Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert among those falling short of expectations.

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Rodgers will welcome another Belgian, Divock Origi, to Anfield this summer, but struggling for consistent form on loan at Lille, there will not be great faith in the youngster's pedigree.

Benteke's summer value will differ depending on whether or not Villa stay up and whether he can lead his side to an FA Cup triumph over Arsenal, but Sherwood appears all too aware the player may not be his in the long run.