Liverpool Transfer News: Memphis Depay Deal Expected in Latest Reds Rumours

Liverpool have taken the initiative in their bid to acquire Memphis Depay's signature this summer and could tie up a deal "within weeks," but Manchester City's financial firepower may also lure Raheem Sterling away.

According to the Liverpool Echo (h/t Metro's George Bellshaw), Liverpool are now front-runners in the hunt for the PSV Eindhoven starlet after making an official bid for his services.

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It was reported last week that Liverpool "led the race" for Netherlands international Depay, looking to contend against some of Europe's biggest clubs in pursuit of his loyalties.

PSV sporting director Marcel Brands was even quoted confirming as much in an interview with Fox Sports (h/t Goal's Stefan Coerts), saying:

"

PSG and Liverpool are indeed a step ahead of Manchester United in the race to sign Memphis. United have only informed us about their interest. 

The list of interested clubs has grown in recent weeks. But Bayern Munich are not among the teams that want to sign him.

It's only logical that there is a lot of movement around Memphis. He is still a young player, but is already hugely efficient. He should be proud of that. 

There isn't usually a lot of movement in the transfer market at this stage of the season. It's an exception that so many clubs have already shown an interest in Memphis. 

That only illustrates that he's on the right track.

"

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal remains hopeful of tying up a deal for his former Netherlands charge, however, and could appeal to PSV by offering the talents of Adnan Januzaj on loan.

That's according to the Daily Star's Jack Wilson, who quotes Brands as suggesting that could be a deal that works for the Eredivisie club:

“If such a player like Adnan Januzaj would like to come and play Champions League football, you have a chance of making a temporary move.”

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Januzaj signed a five-year contract extension with United last year but has struggled to carve out a first-team place under Van Gaal after making such positive strides under his predecessor, David Moyes.

Those two Premier League giants aren't the only ones interested in Depay, however, and Ligue 1 powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain might prove a good fit for the Dutchman, according to Goal.com's Robin Bairner:

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is under pressure to improve Liverpool's attack after the club have fallen so far short of last season's success following Luis Suarez's departure from Merseyside.

His exit, coupled with the injury-flagged form of Daniel Sturridge, has seen Rodgers' men bag 49 goals after 35 games this term, more than 50 shy of the 101 goals managed in 38 league outings last season.

Depay would look to help in that respect after guiding PSV to this year's Eredivisie title and finishing as the league's top scorer.

The season may not be over, but tying up a deal to take Depay this summer would go some way to improving Rodgers' image at Anfield, showing a genuine interest to get a head-start on this summer's remodelling.

Manchester City Set to Offer Sterling Lucrative Contract

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Sterling's position at Anfield is once again at the centre of discussion on Merseyside, after reports emerged insisting Manchester City could be prepared to offer the winger up to £200,000 a week at the Etihad Stadium.

Steve Bates of The Sunday People says the Citizens are eyeing a £165,000-a-week offer for Sterling, complete with incentives that could see it rise even further based on his success at the club.

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That fee would be worth double the £100,000-a-week deal Liverpool saw rejected by Sterling earlier this season, as Bates attests, with negotiations put off until this summer.

The 20-year-old still has a little over two years left to run on his current contract, but ex-Red Michael Owen appeared on BT Sport this Saturday, stating his former club could cope without his talents:

There is a notion the current Manchester City squad has too many overage players among their ranks, with Yaya Toure and Frank Lampard among those potentially leaving this summer.

Bates writes that City chief executive Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain envision Sterling as their future, but the speedster showed some flaws during Saturday's 2-1 win over Queens Park Rangers:

Sterling would bring his benefits to the Etihad Stadium as a homegrown talent, which could help ease this summer's potential departures of James Milner, Lampard and Richard Wright.

There's no doubt the figures allegedly being offered by City are far superior to what Liverpool would be willing to offer, meaning it could come down to a mere question of what matters most to Sterling.