Liverpool a 'step ahead' of Manchester United in race for PSV Eindhoven star Memphis Depay

Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain are the only clubs to have expressed genuine interest in signing PSV Eindhoven star Memphis Depay, according to the club's technical director Marcel Brands.

Depay, 21, has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United throughout the season where he would be reunited with his former Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal.

However, recent reports have suggested Liverpool have moved ahead in the race to sign the goal-scoring winger, since confirmed by Brands, who has suggested Brendan Rodgers' side have already held preliminary talks with the player.

"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," Brands told Fox Sports.

Liverpool, PSG and United will however all be lifted by the news that Pep Guardiola and Bayern Munich are yet to show their interest in Depay. The Netherlands international, who is likely to finish as the Eredivisie's top scorer in PSV's league winning campaign this term, had been tipped as possible long-term successor to Arjen Robben.

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

"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."

United have been heavily linked with Depay, 21, since Louis van Gaal's arrival at the club but the manager refused to be drawn in a recent press conference on whether they had lodged a bid for his services.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers also remained tight-lipped on the matter when asked whether his club were interested in signing the forward but added the Netherlands international is a "very talented player".