Favourties Liverpool Make Offer To €27m Man Utd Target, Player Keen On PL Move

As the opening of the summer transfer window approaches, managers are working hard identifying targets and lining-up potential deals so we’ll bring you all the news and gossip. Today, Liverpool edge ahead of Manchester United in the race for Memphis Depay….

Liverpool appear to be in pole position to sign Manchester United target Memphis Depay this summer after making an offer to the PSV Eindhoven attacker, according to reports today.

Depay is set to leave Holland at the end of the season after enjoying a sensational campaign that’s seen him score 26 goals in all competitions to help PSV land the Eredivisie title last month.

His superb form has attracted interest from some of Europe’s top clubs with Manchester Untied, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain among those who have registered their interest.

Up until now, it had been thought that Depay’s close relationship with Louis van Gaal may be a key factor in his decision while the likelihood of United being able to offer Champions League football was also thought to be a distinct advantage for the 20-time Premier League champions.

However, the Liverpool Echo are reporting today that Liverpool are in fact leading the chase for the 21-year-old’s signature after being given permission by PSV to hold talks with the player after the Reds made it clear they are willing to meet the €27m (£20m) asking price.

The Liverpool-based newspaper goes on to suggest that the Merseysiders have now put forward a formal offer to Depay and he’s believed to have been left impressed by Liverpool’s plans after holding talks with the Anfield club.

In a further blow to United, the Echo claim that Champions League football is not a decisive factor for the player as he’s more interested in joining a club that will offer him guaranteed first team football.

PSV sporting director Marcel Brands has confirmed that Liverpool and PSG are ‘a step ahead’ of United in the race but hints that there are still a number of other clubs who are interested:

“PSG and Liverpool are indeed a step ahead of Manchester United in the race to sign Memphis. United have only informed us about their interest.

“The list of interested clubs has grown in recent weeks. But Bayern Munich are not among the teams that want to sign him.

“It’s only logical that there is a lot of movement around Memphis. He is still a young player, but is already hugely efficient. He should be proud of that.

“There isn’t usually a lot of movement in the transfer market at this stage of the season. It’s an exception that so many clubs have already shown an interest in Memphis. That only illustrates that he’s on the right track.” Brands is quoted as saying by the Echo

PSG obviously have the money to compete with the likes of Liverpool and United but the Liverpool Echo claim that Depay has his heart set on moving to the Premier League, which puts Liverpool firmly in the driving seat.

Brendan Rodgers is desperate to add more firepower to his squad this summer after a hugely disappointing campaign and Depay would certainly help solve that problem. The Dutch international has scored 26 goals this season, despite being played on the left wing, and he’s also capable of playing through the middle so would give Rodgers plenty of options in attack.

He’s certainly an exciting talent and these claims from the Echo come a week after it was reported that Liverpool held talks with Depay and his representatives in a hotel last month, so as is stands it appears the Merseysiders are leading the chase for his signature.

READ MORE –> Liverpool transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

However, I still think United have a major role left to play. If van Gaal decides to make his interest official then Depay will have a tough decision to make as he shares a close relationship with the United boss having worked under him with the Dutch national team.

If van Gaal can convince Depay that he’ll play a major role at United, then I personally wouldn’t be surprised to see him head to Old Trafford this summer.

Depay is expected to make a final decision over his future at the end of the month so we don’t have to wait too much longer to find out which club he’ll be moving to.