Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Leroy Sane and Saido Berahino Rumours

Liverpool will reportedly have to battle Manchester City for talented youngster Leroy Sane, who is regarded as a possible January transfer target for the Reds.

According to the Guardian's Jamie Jackson and Fabrizio Romano, City have been following the teenager since 2013 and are planning an approach in January, although the club believes a summer move to be more likely. Per the Anfield Chat, his agent has already ruled out a January move.

Sane has been one of the top breakout stars of the 2015-16 Bundesliga season, scoring four goals and adding four assists in 11 starts, per WhoScored.com. His strong form and impressive potential have already resulted in a full international debut with Germany, as well as plenty of transfer speculation.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp previously addressed rumours he was looking at the 19-year-old and his Schalke team-mate, Joel Matip, and refused to rule out any moves, according to Bild (h/t Daily Express' Uche Amako):

"

Are we interested in Sane and Matip? They are Schalke players, right? It is correct that we are looking at all options.

I do not have any plans to only bring in players from the Bundesliga.

There is nothing wilder than transfer rumours in England.

"

According to Jackson and Romano, Schalke will demand at least £32 million for his services, which would be a reasonable fee in today's transfer market. Sane has limited experience on the highest level, but he has shown enough to warrant a significant investment, and Schalke are under no obligation to sell unless the offer is too good to refuse.

A tricky winger who can also play in a central role, Sane has excellent physical tools to go with his dribbling abilities, but he also has remarkable vision and instincts for such a young player. His passing is solid, even if he's prone to the odd lapse in concentration, and he presents a big threat on the counter-attack.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Liverpool could certainly use a player of his calibre given the lack of true wide options Klopp has available to him. Sane would be the most exciting young winger to don the iconic red kit since Raheem Sterling, who left the club for City last summer.

Sterling has slotted into City's starting XI seamlessly, but with the England international, Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva occupying the three slots in attacking midfield, one has to wonder where Sane would play should he move to the Etihad Stadium.

City have shown a willingness to give young talent a fair chance with Sterling, but unlike Liverpool, the Citizens don't have a clear need for an attacking upgrade. Should Sane move to Anfield, he would likely be a starter from day one.

Immediate playing time and the chance to work with Klopp would be the Reds' top selling points, although Sane still seems likely to stay with Schalke for the foreseeable future.

Tony Pulis Can't Rule Out Saido Berahino January Move

Jan Kruger/Getty Images

West Bromwich Albion coach Tony Pulis maintains his relationship with star striker Saido Berahino is improving, but he can't rule out a January exit.

As Bill Howell of the Daily Star reported, Pulis was asked whether a January move was still possible after the 22-year-old fell out with the club, which resulted in a drop in value. His response left little to the imagination:

"

I was asked that question two windows ago and I said exactly the same. The club would love to keep him.

It's like selling a house, if someone comes and makes an offer too good to turn down, it's too good to turn down, but three parties have to agree.

"

Berahino was one of the breakout stars of the 2014-15 Premier League campaign, but he hasn't started for the Baggies since October and has been difficult to work with since a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur fell through during the summer, per Howell.

Sam Wallace of the Daily Telegraph says the club believes he should keep his head down and focus on scoring goals to earn his transfer―exactly the opposite of what he's been doing:

"

“Exasperating” is the description most often applied to Berahino by those at the club who have seen him grow from a 12-year-old academy kid into a Premier League striker. They realise that his future does not lie at West Brom but what they find most exasperating is his unwillingness to understand that in order to get his move, he needs to be playing well and scoring goals.

"

With Daniel Sturridge spending more time on the sidelines than on the pitch and Divock Origi still finding his feet in the Premier League, the Reds could benefit from adding another talented striker like Berahino, who has already shown he can play on the highest level of English football.

He's still just 22 and would immediately rival Christian Benteke for the starting position should he move to Anfield. The Belgian has struggled at times, and while his scoring record looks decent enough―six goals in 11 Premier League starts, per WhoScored.com―he's hardly an ideal fit for Klopp's attacking philosophy.

Follow @ReverschPass