Raheem Sterling is set for a QPR first team debut as Arsenal step-up their interest in the protege.
Sterling, who celebrated his 15th birthday last week, is now eligible to play for the senior side and reports suggest he could get his chance against Sheffield United this weekend.
The Championship club are in turmoil, with Jim Magilton departing from Loftus Road late last night, and Arsenal are ready to pounce for one of the hottest properties in British football.
Fulham and Manchester City are rumoured to have made offers in the region of £1 million, but the Gunners are getting ready to move in January after youth director Liam Brady met with the youngster to discuss the possibility of a switch to the Emirates.
The plot thickens further with the involvement of Jay Simpson, the Arsenal striker currently on loan at the west London club. Highly-rated, Simpson has been unable to force his way into first team contention with the Gunners, finding himself on loan over the previous two seasons.
The forward could be used as part of a player-plus-cash deal, one that might be hard for QPR to turn down considering the goals Simpson could bring to a Championship side chasing promotion.Sterling will hope to get his chance under Steve Gallen and Marc Bircham, two coaches who have worked with him through the youth set-up at Rangers. With Liverpool also interested, a host of scouts will be at Loftus Road on Saturday, although they will struggle to push the Gunners off pole position for the winger."He has loads of natural ability. This boy can pass, shoot, head it, score goals, tackle, defend, anything," said Steve Gallen recently.
