Raheem Sterling Tops Memphis Depay as Most Valuable Young Player in Europe

Liverpool's Raheem Sterling has been ranked by a new study as Europe's most valuable young player, with the winger beating Manchester United's major new signing Memphis Depay.

The Soccerex 20 Football Value Index study—carried out by sports agency Prime Time Sport—rates the Anfield starlet at £35 million, with Dutch international Depay coming in third placed at £23.8 million, despite being signed from PSV Eindhoven for £31 million, per BBC Sport.

The two players were split by Paris Saint Germain talent Marquinhos, who signed for the French club in 2013 for £27 million. 

Wong Maye-E/Associated Press

The study's author, Esteve Calzada, explained the findings of the study, and commented on the strength of the Premier League—which has five of the top 20 players on the list, per BBC Sport:

"Combining all the factors, we came up with [Raheem] Sterling as the most valuable. That shows the strength of the [Premier League] competition. We are used to seeing high-value domestic-only transfers in the UK. This is just another way to prove that."

The Liverpool attacker has been central to the biggest transfer speculation of the summer, and he is expected to move away from Merseyside in the coming weeks. 

The Daily Star's Jeremy Cross and Ian Whittell suggested Manchester City are "confident" of sealing Sterling's transfer to the Etihad "before the end of next week," and they hope to include him on the team's pre-season tour of Australia. 

Cross and Whittell report Liverpool have rejected two bids from City of around £40 million for the England player, with the Reds holding out for £50 million. 

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak is allegedly "willing to meet the asking price and knows agreeing personal terms with Sterling will be a formality," per Cross and Whittell. 

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

Sterling was sensational during Liverpool's EPL title challenge 18 months ago, but he struggled under the weight of expectation in 2015, as Brendan Rodgers' squad failed to cope with Champions League participation. 

However, the 20-year-old recorded respectable figures during the last campaign, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists in the Premier League, per WhoScored.com. 

Prominent Liverpool blogger Andy Heaton spoke out about Sterling's situation at the club, claiming he would rather see Rodgers keep the youngster than let him leave this summer:

"

Fascinating parallels in the Sterling and Benteke situations at Liverpool and Villa. Personally rather keep Sterling and leave Benteke alone

— Andy Heaton (@Andrew_Heaton) July 6, 2015"

As Memphis' Manchester United career begins, it appears Sterling's Liverpool stint is coming to an end. City will give the player the platform to perform at the highest level, with Champions League football all but guaranteed each year.

Sterling is an ambitious talent, but it is dangerous for him to leave Anfield at this juncture. He could have stayed for another season—as he looks to develop the parts of his game which are weak—and some patience would go a long way.

However, there is little doubt he has a better chance of winning trophies at the deposed EPL champions, and if this is his motivation, a move is inevitable.