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Memphis Depay flew in by private jet for secret talks with Liverpool this week.

The Dutch superstar made the trip on Thursday when he jetted to Manchester airport with his advisors Kees Ploegsma and Kees Vos from top agency SEG International.

Depay’s arrival airport sparked speculation he was ready to open talks with Manchester United.

The Mirror can reveal that it was Anfield officials – including MD Ian Ayre - he met in a hotel close to the airport, after the Reds were given permission by PSV Eindhoven to talk to the Holland international.

Sources in Eindhoven have revealed the 21 year old was hugely impressed not only by Liverpool’s determination in pursuing him for more than a year, but also in the vision they presented.

In pictures - Memphis Depay

They have been told by PSV that the fee for the player who starred at the 2014 World Cup will be around £20 million.

The Reds are ready to splash that sort of fee to ensure they bring in some top talent after manager Brendan Rodgers warned this week he needs some established stars to go straight into his first team, after a season of struggle.

Depay fits the bill. Even though he is still a young talent, he is regarded as one of the most promising players in Europe after becoming one of the emerging stars at the World Cup alongside the likes of Paul Pogba and James Rodriguez.

And he also has the goalscoring threat Rodgers is desperate to bring into his squad. Depay has scored 21 goals this season, and is on course to lift the Dutch golden boot award that was previously won by Luis Suarez and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

United have been strongly linked with the winger, but even though Old Trafford boss Louis van Gaal managed the forward at the World Cup, the Manchester club have not been given permission to speak to the player, after merely asking to be kept informed of the situation.

Van Gaal insisted on Friday he can’t sign every talented player he has coached, which suggests the Old Trafford club are considering other targets in different areas in the summer, with the Dutch manager already well staffed in the wide positions where Depay usually plays.

Wealthy Paris Saint Germain have also been given permission to speak to the Holland star, but we understand he has been urged by his former international team mate Dirk Kuyt to join Liverpool.

READ MOREMemphis Depay scouting report

(Image: Jamie McDonald)

Former Red Bolo Zenden has also spoken with Depay, and the famous Holland pair have told him about the special atmosphere at Anfield and how he would never regret joining the club.

Depay has yet to make a decision on his future, and it is believed he will wait to see exactly where Manchester United stand before choosing his next move, but he admits to being massively impressed by Liverpool and their approach.

Rodgers is keen to bring in attacking players with a goals threat, and he also wants to add a consistent centre forward and top class central midfielder in the summer to take his young squad from nearly men to genuine challengers for honours, and he sees the capture of one of Europe’s most exciting talents as a massive statement in the summer transfer market.

He is also hoping the move will help persuade Raheem Sterling that Liverpool can take the next step, and offer an incentive to sign the new contract that has been on the table for much of the season.