Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal throw in Luis change with £40m and £1 bid for Liverpool star Suarez
ARSENAL have failed in another attempt to sign Luis Suarez, despite upping their bid to £40million AND £1 for the Liverpool striker.
The strategic, if cocky, offer of £40,000,001 was designed to test a clause in the forward’s contract and reveals Arsene Wenger’s determination to recruit the controversial star.
It was immediately rejected yesterday by angry Anfield officials.
Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre told Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis that £40m would not be enough to sign Suarez two weeks ago when a bid rising to £35m, inclusive of add-ons, was rebuffed.
They regard yesterday’s development as a lack of respect, bordering on contempt.
The interpretation of the clause in Suarez’s contract is central to how the saga unfolds and raises the prospect not only of legal avenues being explored, but the battle over the future of the player turning acrimonious.
Suarez and his agent, Pere Guardiola, believe the wording of the contract means that a bid of more than £40m for the player effectively triggers his transfer.
But Liverpool are categorical that they only have to listen to, and inform the player of, bids they receive for that specific amount, but do not have to sanction his sale.
They also insist they can ask for significantly more than £40m.
Uruguayan striker Suarez will be informed of the renewed Arsenal bid after today’s game with Melbourne Victory.
He still wants to quit Anfield and is understood to have reiterated his position while in talks with manager Brendan Rodgers, who said on a podcast to the Anfield Wrap: “You always have to have one eye on the future. There has been a load of speculation around Luis during the course of the off season, but the reality is that we do not need to sell. We do not want to sell and we do not need the money.
“Luis told me during the summer he was always coming back, even though people were suggesting that he might not turn up. He did come back and he’s been fine.”