Arsene Wenger's main focus has now switched to the controversial
Liverpool forward, as the Gunners continue to struggle to agree a fee
with Real Madrid for Gonzalo Higuain
Arsenal are preparing a €40.7 million offer for wantaway Liverpool striker Luis Suarez. The
Gunners will make a concerted push to sign the Uruguay international
after contacting the Merseyside club last week about his availability. There
were reports on Monday that Arsenal had made a €34.9m bid for Suarez
but the the north London outfit are ready to pay up to €40.7m for the
Reds attacker. It is understood that Arsene Wenger has switched
his main focus to capturing Suarez because Arsenal are still struggling
to agree a fee with Real Madrid for Gonzalo Higuain. The Gunners
do not anticipate making any signings before they depart for their
pre-season tour of Asia on Thursday, but they are actively trying
recruit a marquee striker. Suarez is regarded by Wenger as an
upgrade on Higuain, who came close to joining Arsenal at the end of last
week after they made an improved offer of €26.9m. However,
Madrid are holding out for €29.7m for the Argentine, and, although
Arsenal's interest in Higuain is still alive and a deal has not been
ruled out, Wenger has decided to explore other elite options. With
the biggest transfer kitty in Arsenal's history available to him this
summer, the Frenchman sanctioned the shock move for Suarez last week. The
Gunners' enquiry was met with a 'hands-off' warning by Liverpool, who
are fighting to hold on to a player who has spoken frequently this
summer of his interest in a move, most specifically to Real Madrid. Arsenal
will now make a concerted push for Suarez after learning from the
Uruguayan's camp that he is interested in a move to the Emirates as he
pursues his ambition of playing Champions League football next season. In an interview given to the Uruguayan radio station Sport 890 on Tuesday, Suarez claimed that "two or three clubs" want to sign him and that he values interest from Arsenal. He
laughed off reported interest from Chelsea but admitted he is prepared
to interrupt a holiday in his native Uruguay should a potential transfer
develop. "Are there any concrete options? No, so far there
hasn't been any. There are two or three clubs who I think are willing
and the club knows that. "I have to present myself on the July 21
with Liverpool for their tour of Australia but no one knows what could
happen. I've already said what I have to say, and initially I have to be
there on July 21 but maybe a phone call one day can change all your
plans. "For now everything is going well. I am very calm but
initially I am meant to present myself on July 21 but, like I said, no
one knows what can happen." There is understood to be a clause in
Suarez’s contract that allows him to ask for permission to speak to
other clubs if they make a €46.5m offer. However, Liverpool are believed
to want €58m for their prize asset. Intriguingly, Suarez’s
stance on wishing to leave England has appeared to have softened in the
wake of the interest from Arsenal and the absence of an official move
from Madrid. "I have to value that; despite everything that's
happened, [English] clubs still value players for what they can do on
the field," he said. "That makes me think that I can come back and do well over there. It's good that the English clubs still want me." Wenger
plans to use a warchest of up to €116m to make at least two marquee
signings this summer, most likely in the striker and central midfield
positions.
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