By SHAUN CUSTIS
ARSENE WENGER and Alex Ferguson will fight a £15million battle for Raheem Sterling.
Talks have stalled over the 18-year-old whizkid’s new Liverpool contract.
And both Arsenal and Manchester United are poised to move in as Sterling has just 18 months left on his current deal.
SunSport revealed last month Wenger planned to use Theo Walcott as part-exchange for Sterling. But with United joining the chase it piles more pressure on Liverpool to sort a deal for Sterling.
The forward turned 18 last week and the Kop side expected talks to be a formality.
But Sterling’s progress has been so rapid he is now a wanted man.
He is a first-team regular at Anfield and made his England debut in the 4-2 friendly defeat against Sweden.
It would cause shockwaves if Sterling moved to Old Trafford.
He would become the first player to transfer between the two arch-enemies since Phil Chisnall nearly 50 years ago. But Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers has become anxious about Sterling’s future.
He admitted yesterday there is nothing new to add over the deadlocked talks between the player’s advisors and managing director Ian Ayre.
Jamaican-born Sterling was at QPR until Liverpool signed him for an initial £600,000 as a 15-year-old.
But he is facing a dilemma over his future because he may not be the regular starter at United that he has become at Liverpool.
He would likely get more game time at Arsenal and has family ties back in London.
That is why it could be a close fight between Wenger and Fergie if Liverpool do not get an agreement.
