Liverpool are stepping up efforts to beat Manchester United to PSV Eindhoven‘s wide forward Memphis Depay. The Anfield club has reportedly held talks with the Netherlands’ international.

Mirror writer David Maddock claims Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre led a club delegation that met with Depay and his people. The 21-year-old was also left “hugely impressed not only by Liverpool’s determination in pursuing him for more than a year, but also in the vision they presented.”

Depay had been expected to conduct meetings with more than one suitor, including Liverpool’s bitter foe Manchester United and Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain. That’s according to Dutch outlet Eindhoven Dagblad (h/t Sport Witness). But a subsequent report from the same outlet (h/t Sport Witness) indicated it was only Liverpool who spoke with Depay.

These are likely the original sources for Maddock’s report.

Yet while Liverpool may have so far had a clear run at Depay, it seems unlikely to last. United are still keen, according to PSV technical director Marcel Brands, who revealed on Dutch television the Red Devils have made contact regarding Depay, per talkSPORT’s Warren Haughton.

During an interview on The Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, (h/t talkSPORT’s Alex Varney), ex-Netherlands international Ronald de Boer cited the obvious connection United have thanks to the presence of Depay’s former national team boss Louis van Gaal.

De Boer also favourably compared Depay to a free-scoring United great:

He has skill compared to a young Cristiano Ronaldo. He Is very lively, technically unbelievable, very skillful, very fast, he has a great goalscoring record, he can shoot from every distance – he has everything.

For me, he is without doubt one of the best talents we have.

I don’t want to say which club is more suitable for him, but if he goes to United he knows there is a Dutch coach there who knows him from the World Cup. That is an advantage.

Depay has qualities suited to both United and Liverpool. Notably, his pace, clever movement and eye for goal would suit the expansive way Kop boss Brendan Rodgers likes his team to attack.

Depay also adds power to his list of forward attributes. He’s a roving attacker very difficult for defenders to track.

His talents have led to 23 goals for PSV this season, per WhoScored.com. Rodgers knows his team misses that kind of scoring threat.

The Liverpool gaffer has pinpointed a lack of goals as a major problem this season and intends to make recruiting a top-notch forward central to his summer transfer plans, according to the Mirror’s David Maddock.

Depay would be a major boost to the forward line at Anfield. But it’s tough seeing Liverpool beat United to his signature.

The Van Gaal factor will be key, as will the lure of UEFA Champions League football. As things stand, the Red Devils are set to participate in Europe’s premier club competition next season, while Liverpool will miss out.

 

Rodgers to Swap Lucas for Mateo Kovacic

He may need strikers, but Rodgers is still apparently unable to resist another midfield playmaker. In fact, he’s so keen on Inter Milan‘s Mateo Kovacic, Rodgers intends to offer the Serie A side Lucas Leiva, per Italian outlet TuttoSport (h/t the Daily Star‘s Jamie Anderson).

Liverpool’s squad hardly needs another schemer in the middle. Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic are all playmakers possessing similar qualities.

Even though the Reds don’t need Lucas, or at least need an upgrade on the Brazilian anchorman, dealing him away for Kovacic seems a bit of a luxury move. Anderson also pointed out some more obvious problems with any potential deal.

Most notably, he cites Kovacic only agreeing a new contract back in January. He also quotes the player’s agent, Nikky Vuksan, pouring cold water on any Liverpool interest: “Also, I have a player at Liverpool, Dejan Lovren so I would know about it. Both the English and Italian media speculate and find new clubs that want Kovacic every week. He’ll stay at Inter.”

What is clear about 20-year-old Kovacic is that, along with Depay, he fits the bill as a young talent on the rise. Rodgers remain keen to make youth the foundation of winning teams at Anfield, according to the Liverpool Echo’s James Pearce.

Yet Kovacic’s silky skills aren’t what Liverpool really need in midfield for next season. B/R analyst Sam Tighe feels a midfield who “does the dirty work” would be better to replace outgoing skipper Steven Gerrard. He identified AS Roma’s Radja Nainggolan as the ideal target:

The Reds would certainly benefit from a midfield presence who could shield a suspect defence. Yet Rodgers may determine more goals are his priority, making Depay worth the lion’s share of the club’s summer budget. 

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1DJBEee
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J