British bookmakers are reporting heavy action on the transfer bet that Liverpool striker Luis Suarez will head to Arsenal this summer.
Whereas one major bookie had to go so far as to stop taking bets on Suarez heading to the Emirates, most sites currently have the Uruguayan at 2-1 to join up with Arsene Wenger’s side.
The only club with greater odds at landing Suarez is Real Madrid, at 7-4 while other contenders are Manchester City (16-1), Barcelona (20-1), Bayern Munich (22-1), AC Milan (50-1), Atletico Madrid (50-1), Monaco (50-1), Paris Saint-Germain (50-1) and Juventus (66-1).
If you are skeptical as to why so many people are throwing juice on Arsenal to land Suarez, you are not alone as a move to the Emirates would seem unlikely for a variety of reasons.
First and foremost is that despite Suarez’ desire to leave Anfield, Liverpool have been steadfast in their intent to hang on to the striker.
Even assuming Brendan Rodgers is willing to part with the 23 league goal hit-man, it feels highly improbable that Suarez would be sold to another Premier League club.
Adding to the question marks surrounding the bet action is that Suarez’ transfer fee would likely be upwards of £30-40 million, a number that would smash Arsenal’s previous transfer fee record of £15 million (paid to Zenit St Petersburg for Andrey Arshavin). And while the Gunners have claimed they will spend big this summer, tacking on £30-40 million for Suarez when they already look poised to land Gonzalo Higuain for £23 million, feels aggressive.
If Arsenal is to move for a striker to join Higuain most pundits figure Wayne Rooney to be that man. The fee for Rooney would be considerably less than Suarez (likely in the neighborhood of £20-25 million) although the former, who’s reported salary of £250,000 a week is £130,000 more than Suarez’ current rate, would likely demand higher wages from Arsenal than the later.
A Suarez move to the Emirates becomes even more clouded if one is to believe the Uruguayan’s reasons for wanting to leave Liverpool - that he does not like the British media.
All that being said, when punters have good tips, they act. You be the judge.