Liverpool Transfer News: Leroy Sane Rumour Confirmed by Schalke Boss Horst Heldt

Schalke general manager Horst Heldt has confirmed Liverpool made a bid for 19-year-old star Leroy Sane in the summer transfer window.

German outlet SportBild (via Sport Witness) recently reported Reds manager Brendan Rodgers is a fan of the young German and tabled a €15 million (£11 million) offer for him in the summer.

Heldt has now revealed "Liverpool were ready to pay" but insisted Schalke intend to keep hold of their top players, per German magazine Focus (h/t Sport Witness).

It is little surprise Liverpool were interested in bringing Sane in over the summer. Having lost Raheem Sterling to Manchester City, Sane looks exactly the type of player who could have filled the Englishman's role on the flanks.

Though only a teenager, Sane has had a big part to play in Schalke's Bundesliga season so far, scoring three goals and providing one assist, per WhoScored.com.

He likely remains on the Anfield outfit's radar, as Liverpool have had a poor start to the season—so poor Rodgers' job is in danger, per Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell:

The Reds have looked vulnerable at the back, but they have also been lacking an edge in attack, with only Philippe Coutinho consistently performing.

While Daniel Sturridge made an effective return from long-term injury by scoring twice in the club's victory over Aston Villa last time out, Liverpool are still lacking in quality and pace in attack.

Sane could provide those attributes in abundance, as can be seen below:

When Rodgers nearly led Liverpool to the Premier League title two seasons ago, he cultivated a fast counter-attacking style that tore opposition defences to shreds.

Having lost Luis Suarez and Sterling, Liverpool have lost their edge in that department, but the addition of Sane could be a vital to regaining it.

Clearly, Schalke are not eager to sell him on, but if the Reds were prepared to stump up enough cash, the Bundesliga outfit would struggle to turn them down.