Liverpool have been given a boost in their reported pursuit of PSV Eindhoven youngster Memphis Depay after the Dutchman denied widely rumoured links with Manchester United on Saturday.

The 21-year-old attacker is expected to leave the Eredivisie in the summer, and many reports have suggested he will link up once more with former Dutch national team manager Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford, per the Football Oranje (h/t Daily Star‘s Jonathan Green).

However, Depay denied said links, replying “no” when asked if he had spoken to the Red Devils, per the Mirror‘s Ben Burrows: 

He said: “I know nothing myself so I have nothing to say. Otherwise I wouldn’t say this. Of course I’m looking at beautiful leagues. And then it’s always nice if clubs are interested. But I don’t want to say anything about that. We’ll see how things go.”

This is something of a boost for Liverpool, who are also pursuing Depay and reportedly held “secret talks” with the player on Thursday ahead of a mooted £20 million transfer, per David Maddock in the Mirror.

Dutch football expert Elko Born suggested Depay‘s most recent comments be taken with a pinch of salt, but the Reds certainly seem to be in the running to sign the Dutch international:

Depay‘s compatriot and former Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt has encouraged him to move to Anfield, per the Liverpool Echo‘s James Pearce: 

I look through red glasses because I played six years for Liverpool. Only when Memphis does that will be realise just how big Liverpool are. Of course it would be an advantage at Manchester United because he knows the manager. On the other hand it is important at his age that he plays every week. That’s the only way he can develop.

United’s likely qualification for next season’s Champions League—no longer a realistic possibility for Liverpool after Saturday’s 0-0 draw with West Brom—could tip the scales in their favour in the Depay signing.

However, Kuyt does have a valid point that he will likely get more playing time at Liverpool, and the Reds could certainly do with a player of his quality.

One of Kop boss Brendan Rodgers’ major problems this season has been a lack of goals, with Luis Suarez having departed last summer and Daniel Sturridge having spent much of the season out through injury.

Depay could help redress the balance, having bagged 21 league goals so far this season, per WhoScored.com, and inject some potency back into Liverpool’s attack. 

 

Lucas Leiva Set to Depart

According to Tuttosport (h/t Jamie Anderson in the Daily Star), Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva could be set to depart Anfield this summer as part of a proposed deal to sign Inter Milan midfielder Mateo Kovacic. 

Lucas has featured only sparsely so far this season for the Reds—starting 15 times in the Premier League per WhoScored—and he could be used as a makeweight in a deal for Croatian international Kovacic.

The 20-year-old midfielder signed a new five-year contract at the San Siro in January, and as one of Serie A’s best young talents, he is valued at £23 million, per Anderson.

Liverpool are thus hoping to reduce their cash outlay by including Lucas in the deal, although Kovacic‘s agent Nikky Vuksan has denied any chances of a switch for his charge, via Anderson:

It is not going to happen. Mateo extended his contract with Inter in January. Could it be that clubs are negotiating? No, that is not possible without Mateo and me knowing about it. 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.

Liverpool need added strength in midfield with Steven Gerrard set for MLS side LA Galaxy in the summer, but a Kovacic transfer does not look likely.

Furthermore, it would potentially be foolish to offload the 28-year-old Lucas who has been a valuable asset at Anfield since his arrival in 2007. 

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