Liverpool FC Forum

Liverpool have reportedly been given the all-clear to open talks with PSV winger Memphis Depay about a summer transfer to Anfield after boss Brendan Rodgers received assurances about his future with the Reds.

It is claimed that the Reds coach wants to sign more established players to slot straight into the first-team in the upcoming transfer window, and sees PSV's in-demand man as an ideal signing.

The Eredivisie side are thought to have given Liverpool permission to hold talks with Depay - who will reportedly cost upwards of £15million to £18million to recruit - after the Reds previously made preliminary contact with the winger.

The 21-year-old is also being chased by Liverpool's rivals Manchester United who, according to PSV, asked about the availability of the player following the club's Dutch title win at the weekend, which Depay scored in.

Source: Metro

He's the man who is set to spark a bidding war between Liverpool and Manchester United - but just who is PSV Eindhoven forward Memphis Depay?

Here's what we know: Depay is the Eredivisie top scorer with 20 goals this season, he's also registered three assists and a further three goals in the Europa League.

He made his debut fro PSV in 2011, aged just 16, scoring three goals in eight games in 2011-12. He then struck just twice in 2012-13 before scoring 12 goals in 32 appearances last term.

Depay is an left-sided forward capable of playing as a central striker or out wide. He's also a set piece specialist and he scored a thunderbolt of a free kick this weekend to seal PSV's title victory in a 4-1 win over Heerenveen.

The 21-year-old was called up by Louis van Gaal to Dutch World Cup squad last summer, scoring twice in the tournament in Brazil - becoming the youngest Dutchman to score at a World Cup finals in the process.

In an interview with TalkSport, Dutch journalist Marcel van der Kraan says Liverpool are currently the only club in "official talks" for the player, and revealed that it could cost around £25m to prise him from the Dutch champions.

However the presence of van Gaal in Manchester could sway the Dutchman's decision.

He explained: "The question still is will he go to Man U or Liverpool? Liverpool so far have the strongest contact with the club, they are in official talks - the board of PSV told us that.

"But then Man U first phone call last week made all the alarm bells go off, not just with PSV but with Depay because he will find his former manager there.

"I don't think he will go to Paris although they offer the biggest wage packet. Last summer Spurs wanted to pay 20m euros which is about £15m. PSV wanted to take that but the player chose to wait and the transfer was postponed.

"With the progress the player has made PSV are not willing to accept that figure. They now want £25m and I think they will get that.

"Liverpool have not been scared off by that figure."

Van der Kraan then went on to compare Depay to Cristiano Ronaldo and says that the youngster is an eccentric figure, but one that could excel in the Premier League.

He explained: "He's a funny character but he's been setting the Dutch league alight. He's scored loads of goals, plenty of assists and that gives everybody the idea he might be an interesting character for the Premier League.

"In some ways he reminds us of Cristiano Ronaldo. He likes his dribbles, he has the same free-kick shot from ridiculous distances, he entertains crowds by trying to score from 40 yards and he scores penalties like the panenka. In every way he tries to entertain and he's been really different from all the others.

"He's a very eccentric boy, he doesn't talk to the media. He's got his body completely covered in tattoos, he drives a big sports car with a bulldog sitting next to him."

He added: "His temperament is quite intense but there are times where he drifts in and out of games and that is where we worry because in the Premier League you don't get five minutes of breathing time you need to be there all the time.

"On the other hand we realise he's very young and to be the top scorer in the Eredivisie, take your team to the title and go to the World Cup there must be something that even the board of Eindhoven think he's going to really make it in Europe."

Dutch legend Ronald De Boer also reckons Depay has something of a young Ronaldo in him, saying he "has everything".

"He is one of the biggest talents in Europe," De Boer said.

"He has skill compared to a young Cristiano Ronaldo. He is very lively, technically unbelievable, very skilful, 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."

Source: Liverpool Echo

Inter Milan  star Hernanes insists he will remain at the club despite reported interest from Liverpool and Tottenham.

The Brazil international joined the Serie A outfit from rivals Lazio over a year ago and has since scored four goals in 41 appearances.

However, Inter have failed to impress this season and currently lie 10th in the table under Roberto Mancini, leading to speculation that a number of top stars could seek moves away at the end of the season.

Talksport claims that both Liverpool and Spurs are looking to land Hernanes this summer in a bid to strengthen their respective midfields, but the playmaker is adamant that he will stay at the San Siro.

Hernanes told Sky Sports Italia: "My future? I'm feeling fine here and I want to stay until we start winning [trophies] again.

"The derby draw [against AC Milan] has left us with a bitter taste in our mouth, we deserved to win and the three points would have been very important."

Source: Daily Express

Arsenal's reported £3million transfer of Demarai Gray has come under threat as Liverpool have emerged as favourites to land the Birmingham City star.

The Gunners were keen on making an offer for the 18-year-old speed sensation but now it appears that Anfield could be a more likely destination, according to Goal.com.

Gray is Birmingham's hottest prospect and has attracted interest from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.

Arsene Wenger was keen to land the young winger but it appears his transfer plans may be thwarted.

Source: Metro

Sevilla star Carlos Bacca has admitted that he could be sold this summer.

The Colombian striker has been linked with a move to Milan in Italy, but other reports suggest Bacca is a target for Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

It was claimed yesterday that United were ready to tempt Sevilla to part with the 28-year-old with a bid in the region of £15million.

But the player himself says he won't push for a move unless the La Liga side decide to cash in.

"I do not know anything about Milan's interest and Sevilla have not told me anything about it," Bacca told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I am feeling very well here and I am not thinking about a transfer. Things are going well for me and for the team.

"Then again, if Sevilla need to sell me or decide to cash in, we will sit down to discuss matters and evaluate any offers."

Source: Daily Express

Sporting goalkeeper Rui Patricio insists he is not getting too far ahead of himself despite interest from Liverpool.

The Portuguese international has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield as competition for Simon Mignolet.

Reports last week claimed that Liverpool had sent one of their top scouts to Lisbon to provide an update on the 27-year-old.

It is claimed that Patricio could be interested in a move abroad to test himself in a foreign league, and may even be willing to accept having to fight Mignolet for a place to make the move happen.

Sporting are said to want close to £11million to allow Patricio to leave.

But the player himself says he is not getting carried away with the speculation.

He said: "I only think day by day.

"I've no huge plans for the future, I live one day at a time."

Source: Daily Express

Andre Ayew is reportedly set to accept a transfer to Liverpool if they up their contract offer to £42,000-a-week.

Ayew is leaving Marseille this summer when his deal expires and he's already received huge contract offers from clubs all over the world.

Tottenham had looked like being the front runners recently, with a £60,000-a-week deal being talked up, but Liverpool have apparently been in touch.

And reports say that if they put a £42,000-a-week offer on the table, they'll win the race for Ayew.

He's believed to prefer a move to Anfield over other teams and if the money is right, this deal should happen.

Source: Metro

I just read a similar story elsewhere, good player. I like him anyway.  I also read that Rodgers has had assurances that his job is safe and he wants to sign experienced players to slot straight into the first team this summer.

Ayew ? Seriously ? Why do we need more squad players ?

This should be a decent guide knowing how cagey FSG are, out of contract this summer:

http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/statisti ... evertraege

leeroy74 » Wed Apr 22, 2015 11:19 am wrote:I just read a similar story elsewhere, good player. I like him anyway.  I also read that Rodgers has had assurances that his job is safe and he wants to sign experienced players to slot straight into the first team this summer.

Sounds eerily familiar ,almost like revisiting 2014

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11669/9311100/transfer-news-liverpool-manager-brendan-rodgers-wants-quality-not-quantity

"I don't want to put a figure on how many but I would rather have one or two absolute top players than seven that might not help us,"

He bought seven that never helped us

"It's about the quality. We can't be going into the Champions League this year with doubts about players"

We stunk the competition out

"Two years ago, when I came in, I was looking to introduce new ideas but a lot of the players weren't there because of the European Championship," he said.

"That affected the start of the season. At least this summer we have the principles bedded in place and the players that come in will be the profile we want.
It should be better for us this summer"

We had a dreadful start to the season ,and the players looked lost with his supposed blueprint

leeroy74 » Wed Apr 22, 2015 11:19 am wrote:I just read a similar story elsewhere, good player. I like him anyway.  I also read that Rodgers has had assurances that his job is safe and he wants to sign experienced players to slot straight into the first team this summer.

Sounds eerily familiar ,almost like revisiting 2014

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11669/9311100/transfer-news-liverpool-manager-brendan-rodgers-wants-quality-not-quantity

"I don't want to put a figure on how many but I would rather have one or two absolute top players than seven that might not help us,"

He bought seven that never helped us

"It's about the quality. We can't be going into the Champions League this year with doubts about players"

We stunk the competition out

"Two years ago, when I came in, I was looking to introduce new ideas but a lot of the players weren't there because of the European Championship," he said.

"That affected the start of the season. At least this summer we have the principles bedded in place and the players that come in will be the profile we want.
It should be better for us this summer"

We had a dreadful start to the season ,and the players looked lost with his supposed blueprint

Liverpool are reportedly free to complete a transfer deal for Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan, with the Italian side unable to afford a permanent move.

Roma co-own the Belgian international with Cagliari, but the pair are yet to agree on a fee that would release him outright to the former.

A combative central midfielder, Nainggolan has been a key member of Rudi Garcia's side this season, with Liverpool believed to be interested in bringing him to Anfield.

And according to Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur, the Reds could get a deal over the line this summer, with Roma allegedly unable to afford a permanent deal for the 26-year-old.

Nainggolan - who previously admitted to Gazzetta dello Sport that he is '50 percent likely' to leave Roma - is believed to be valued by his current owners at roughly £29million.

Source: Metro

RED BEERGOGGLES » Wed Apr 22, 2015 5:15 pm wrote:

leeroy74 » Wed Apr 22, 2015 11:19 am wrote:I just read a similar story elsewhere, good player. I like him anyway.  I also read that Rodgers has had assurances that his job is safe and he wants to sign experienced players to slot straight into the first team this summer.

Sounds eerily familiar ,almost like revisiting 2014

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11669/9311100/transfer-news-liverpool-manager-brendan-rodgers-wants-quality-not-quantity

"I don't want to put a figure on how many but I would rather have one or two absolute top players than seven that might not help us,"

He bought seven that never helped us

"It's about the quality. We can't be going into the Champions League this year with doubts about players"

We stunk the competition out

"Two years ago, when I came in, I was looking to introduce new ideas but a lot of the players weren't there because of the European Championship," he said.

"That affected the start of the season. At least this summer we have the principles bedded in place and the players that come in will be the profile we want.
It should be better for us this summer"

We had a dreadful start to the season ,and the players looked lost with his supposed blueprint

It's no big secret that Rodgers doesn't see eye to eye with FSG re our transfer policy, 3 or 4 times now he has openly criticised it in public, it was only the other week he bemoaned that teams who win trophies tend to have an average age near 30 where as ours is 23/24.

ycsatbjywtbiastkamb » Wed Apr 22, 2015 7:06 pm wrote:

RED BEERGOGGLES » Wed Apr 22, 2015 5:15 pm wrote:

leeroy74 » Wed Apr 22, 2015 11:19 am wrote:I just read a similar story elsewhere, good player. I like him anyway.  I also read that Rodgers has had assurances that his job is safe and he wants to sign experienced players to slot straight into the first team this summer.

Sounds eerily familiar ,almost like revisiting 2014

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11669/9311100/transfer-news-liverpool-manager-brendan-rodgers-wants-quality-not-quantity

"I don't want to put a figure on how many but I would rather have one or two absolute top players than seven that might not help us,"

He bought seven that never helped us

"It's about the quality. We can't be going into the Champions League this year with doubts about players"

We stunk the competition out

"Two years ago, when I came in, I was looking to introduce new ideas but a lot of the players weren't there because of the European Championship," he said.

"That affected the start of the season. At least this summer we have the principles bedded in place and the players that come in will be the profile we want.
It should be better for us this summer"

We had a dreadful start to the season ,and the players looked lost with his supposed blueprint

It's no big secret that Rodgers doesn't see eye to eye with FSG re our transfer policy, 3 or 4 times now he has openly criticised it in public, it was only the other week he bemoaned that teams who win trophies tend to have an average age near 30 where as ours is 23/24.

I know its no secret he's more than proficient at shifting the blame ,you said yourself mate (on which I agree btw ) the team on paper if played correctly
was more than capable of breaking into the top four , although I think you went one further by stating  that this team could  be capable of challenging.

I mean we have heard him lavish self praise on himself for reverting to a different formation in practically every sound bite when we were picking up points
but nothing about him changing the system and trying three different formations against Villa