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Manchester United are set to make a £25million offer for Raheem Sterling - kicking off a transfer-window arms-race over the unsettled Liverpool star.

United’s first approach for the player was firmly rejected by their arch-rivals last month.

But Louis van Gaal refuses to give up on Sterling, and United will further test the Anfield chiefs’ resolve by tabling a bid in the next few days.

Van Gaal recognises the 20-year-old is one of the most exciting young talents in the Premier League and believes he could flourish with the Old Trafford giants.

The Dutchman feels Sterling WILL move this summer because of his contract impasse with Liverpool and is determined to try for the England forward.

While Liverpool will reject United’s bid, their move could prompt neighbours Manchester City to make an offer of their own - they are long-term admirers of Sterling.

Deposed champions City have the cash to pay the £40m-£50m it's expected will be needed to tempt Liverpool to cash in on the contract-rebel star.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also monitoring developments - and it is believed Sterling would prefer to move back to his home city of London.

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One of Rafa Benitez’s first acts as Real boss on Wednesday was to confirm their interest in Sterling, who was lured to Liverpool from Queens Park Rangers five years ago while he was still manager at Anfield.

Sterling has told Liverpool he wants to go and is refusing their offer of £90,000-a-week to extend a contract which has two years left to run.

Meanwhile, Benitez sidestepped the issue of United keeper David De Gea, who is expected to quit Old Trafford for Real Madrid this summer.

He said: “David De Gea is a great goalkeeper. But he is not a Real Madrid player and I am not talking about a player who does not belong to the club.”