WENGER ON ALERT AS LIVERPOOL FACE FIGHT TO KEEP STERLING

ARSENAL are monitoring Raheem St erl i ng’s c ontrac t s i t u at i on amid reports the winger is set to turn down a new deal to stay at Liverpool.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger holds a long-standing interest in the 20-yearold, who has got two years left on his contract at Anfield.

Although negotiations are thought to have reached an impasse — with Sterling set to reject a fresh £90,000-aweek offer — Liverpool are not under immediate pressure to sell and remain hopeful of convincing him to stay.

Howe v e r, A r s e n a l a re a mo n g a number of clubs, including Manchester City and Real Madrid, that have asked to be kept informed should the situation deteriorate further.

Wenger was first aware of Sterling as a youngster and made a concerted effort to sign him from QPR as a 15-yearold in 2010 but Liverpool won the race for his signature after convincing his parents that a move to Merseyside was in his best interests.

Arsenal will have a £50million budget this summer and have prioritised other areas for strengthening the squad, namely defensive midfield with Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin a target.

The Gunners are also considering moves for a go a l ke e p e r should Wojciech Szczesny depart, a centreback and a s t r i ker but i f S t e rl i ng became available and expressed an interest in moving to London, Wenger would be tempted to alter his plans.

Arsenal are well stocked in Sterling’s position and although Liverpool retain an interest in Theo Walcott, a swap deal is considered unlikely with both player and club expected to reach agreement on a new contract this summer.

Liverpool are desperate to hold onto their star asset and would be particularly loathe to deal with Arsenal after the rancour that surrounded the Gunners attempt to land Luis Suarez in the summer of 2013.

The north London club were convinced Suarez had a £40m release clause in his contract and caused fury among the Anfield hierarchy when they offered £40m and a pound for the Uruguay striker, who eventually left Liverpool for Barcelona in a £65m deal after the World Cup.