Spurs hunting Ja-born Sterling

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Tottenham Spurs are reportedly getting ready to make a £7.5m move for young Liverpool winger, Jamaica-born Raheem Sterling, after watching him closely during the preseason.

According to the UK Daily Mail, Spurs are keen on securing a permanent deal for the 17-year-old winger, who is also wanted by his former club Queens Park Rangers (QPR).

Sterling was included in Liverpool's squad for their Europa League third-round qualifier against FC Gomel of Belarus yesterday.

Sterling, who has represented England at the Under-16 and Under-17 levels also, has shone for the Liverpool team. He made his senior competitive Liverpool debut as a substitute in the Premier League against Wigan in March at 17 years and 107 days, to become the second-youngest player ever to play for the club.

The 5-ft-7-inches winger had spent seven years at Queens Park Rangers before joining Liverpool in 2010, and is rated as one of Europe's brightest young prospects.

Experienced player

Sterling, who hails from the tough Corporate Area community of Maverley, returned to Jamaica recently to attend the funeral of his grandfather.

Sterling caught the eye of several English football scouts from a very young age. He went to Westham at age seven and stayed there for two years before moving to Queens Park Rangers for another seven years.

Sterling, who played in last year's FIFA Under-17 World Cup, made 13 appearances at the level for England, scoring three times. He was signed by Liverpool for an initial fee of £500,000 but, depending on his senior appearances, this could rise to £5 million