Liverpool want Real Madrid academy star Denis Cheryshev to cover Raheem Sterling departure

Liverpool are planning a bid of around €20m (£14.5, $22.2m) to secure the services of Real Madrid starlet Denis Cheryshev as a potential replacement to wantaway Raheem Sterling, reports in Spain claim.

Having grown at the Real Madird academy of Valdebebas since joining them as wonderkid in the summer of 2002, the 24-year-old versatile winger has spent the last two seasons on loan at Sevilla and Villarreal.

And even though his 2013-2014 season at the Europe League winners was marked by a long-term injury, Cheryshev has proven to be one of the sensations of La Liga this season at Villarreal.

The Russia international has scored 7 goals and provided 11 assists in 40 appearances at the Madrigal stadium.

New Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez was expected to give him a chance to prove his worth at the club during Los Blancos pre-season as he is considered one of the brightest prospects of the Valdebebas academy – after he scored 11 goals for the second team in the Spanish second division in 2012-2013.

But AS claims "his future is in England" as Liverpool "have already made moves to sign the Russian international and are willing to offer between €15m and €20m" to secure his services.

The Spanish publication add that the Merseysiders want Cheryshev to cover the possible departure of Sterling" as the Real Madrid academy star can play both as a winger and a full-back.

With Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Jese in the Real Madrid ranks it is expected Benitez will not block his departure to Anfield while AS claim "the player will also relish the idea of playing in a competition like the Premier League which suits his dynamic football."

Meanwhile the Spanish publication suggest that the La Liga giants may demand from Liverpool a buy-back clause as they did last summer when selling Alvaro Morata to Juventus, as Real Madrid officials still believe in the future of Cheryshev at the Santiago Bernabeu.