Luis Suarez is finally given permission to talk to the Gunners…
Luis Suarez has been given permission to talk to Arsenal by Liverpool following the Gunners’ £40m bid, reports BBC Sport.
This does not mean that Liverpool have accepted a bid however, and will still refuse to sell the striker for anything under their £50m valuation. Arsenal’s previous bid did trigger a clause which meant that Liverpool had to give permission for Suarez to talk to Arsenal, but this does not force them to sell the forward.
Essentially, there are no new developments in regards to an actual transfer, although the Gunners now have the chance to actively persuade the Uruguayan to join them. It is unknown how high Arsenal will be prepared to bid for Suarez, although they may be forced into an astronomical offer as their other forward target, Gonzalo Higuain, is on the verge of joining Napoli.
This will mean if they fail to reach Liverpool’s demands, they could end up failing to buy a world-class forward despite a summer of turmoil in the transfer market.
Brendan Rodgers has encouraged Suarez to think about Liverpool’s fans before he speaks to Arsenal.
“The support he has received from the supporters and the people of the city of Liverpool has been unrivalled,” the Northern Irishman told the media following his side’s 2-0 friendly victory over Melbourne Victory in the MCG Stadium, which was packed out with 95,000 fans.
Suarez cut a forlorn figure during his 20 minute cameo appearance, but did show a moment of genius when he superbly set up Iago Aspas for Liverpool’s second goal.
Rodgers added, “In this period of time he’s missed a lot of games for the club through various reasons. The people have stood by him like a son and really looked after him. Whatever happens in the coming weeks that will be in his mind because it’s something you can never forget.”
Suarez will talk to the Gunners when he returns from Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Australia, where Arsenal chiefs will try to lure him to the club with the temptation of Champions League football he so badly desires.
If they cough up the required valuation, the sale of Luis Suarez could break the £50m transfer record previously held by Fernando Torres – another unhappy Liverpool striker who moved to London.
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