Luis Suarez will hold talks with Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Arsenal... but Liverpool have no intention of selling their star striker.
The Reds are holding out for a transfer fee in excess of $75 million, after Arsenal allegedly triggered a clause in Suárez’ contract by offering just £1 pound over the £40 million fee needed for them to speak to the Uruguayan international.
Clever boy Arsene Wenger, very clever indeed.
Apparently the cheeky offer from the Gunners meant Suárez had to be notified of the bid and he now wants to hear what Arsenal can offer him.
However, the transfer fee remains the main stumbling block as Liverpool aren’t budging over their valuation of Suárez.
Is he really worth $75 million. In a word: yes.
Suárez’s talents on the field are undoubted and Arsenal certainly need a game-changer, which is something they’ve been severely lacking since Robin van Persie departed last summer. The 26-year-old Uruguayan has scored 51 goals in 96 since joining Liverpool, has 31 goals in 62 games for Uruguay and scored 49 goals in 48 games at Ajax before joining the Reds.
But don’t expect Arsenal to pay $75 million, perhaps a compromise of $65 million could be agreed.
His record as a poacher in and around the box is sensational. Just this morning we got to see that first-hand, as Suárez played his part in Liverpool’s second goal against the Melbourne Victory in Australia. A delightful jinxing run and cross set up Iago Aspas for a tap in. Will we see that in Arsenal colors next season?
(MORE: John W Henry slams Arsenal’s new Suárez bid via Twitter)
Not if Liverpool’s owner John W Henry has anything to do with it. The American businessmen lashed out at Arsenal’s Suárez bid via Twitter this morning, saying “What do you think they’re smoking over there at Emirates?”
Unimpressed with Arsenal’s tactics would sum it Henry’s mindset, that’s putting it mildly. Welcome to the cut and thrust of the Premier League, John. No mercy is shown when it comes to trying to snatch away top talent from your rivals.
But has Arsenal’s cheeky bid actually done them any good at all? The chances are that Liverpool certainly don’t want to do business with them now, and if they do they’ll rise the price up considerably.
An initial smart move by Arsenal may have backfired spectacularly. But the fact that Suárez wants to talk to them about leaving Anfield leaves Liverpool in an impossible situation.
Once and for all, it is time for Suárez to move on. Arsenal, Real Madrid, Chelsea...whoever, just get this over with.
