New boss Rodgers is willing to top Fergie's offer PLUS Kop seal
swoop for Birmingham and England U16s midfielder Nabay
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is ready to
fight Manchester United and Arsenal for Crewe whizkid Nick
Powell.
New Kop chief Rodgers is prepared to top the offers
from United and the Gunners for the young attacker.
Powell is going to be cleared for talks with United
chief Sir Alex Ferguson after his bid of £2million-plus down and
installments that could take the total value to £5m was accepted by
the Railwaymen.
Arsenal have offered more money for Powell, but Crewe
surprisingly snubbed their approach.
Now Rodgers hopes he can step in and win the race with
a better bid.
Transfer tug-of-war: Rodgers is set for his first scrap
with Alex Ferguson
The auction has begun in earnest for an
18-year-old who is tipped for greatness, although Tottenham have
dropped out because of the 'extras' that take his total fee beyond
their valuation.
Powell will also have a say on his move - he wants to
play first-team football and will want that chance either at his
new club or by being sent out on loan for additional
experience.
Ferguson has been working overtime to land Powell, who
would also like to stay in the north-west of England - a factor
which makes Rodgers' arrival in the hunt a real threat to United's
plans.
* BUSY Liverpool have also won the race to sign
Birmingham starlet Foday Nabay.