Suarez still hoping Real Madrid gazump Arsenal and meet Liverpool price tag

 

Luis Suarez remains hopeful that Real Madrid will make a late move and meet Liverpool’s asking price, but if the La Liga club decides against returning for the Uruguay international, he will join Arsenal instead, once a fee has been agreed.

Madrid initially offered £25m for Suarez, around half the sum Liverpool were looking for, and while the Gunners have yet to match the £50m valuation, they have upped their bid to £40m and, as a result, Suarez confirmed he would like to speak to Arsene Wenger over a move to the Emirates Stadium.

But the Express suggests Suarez was attempting to push Madrid into upping their offer or risk losing the player to Arsenal. There is no guarantee Madrid will increase their initial £25m approach, however, leaving Suarez to move to north London if the Premier League rivals can come to terms.

Suarez initially indicated he wanted to leave English football altogether after negative coverage in the media of his part in a number of incidents, from being found to have racially abused Patrice Evra to biting Branislav Ivanovic

Premier League duo interested in Bundesliga starlet

With German football in a rich vein of form both at club and country level, the latest hot properties within the nation will sure to be grabbing the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs and according to the Daily Express, the latest of those players is Sinan Kurt.

The 17-year-old wonderkid is attracting the interests of both Liverpool and Arsenal with a source close to the players insisting: “Kurt is one of those guys who are seen to have a great future.”

Kurt, currently playing at Borussia Monchengladbach, as continuously been compared to the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid stars, Marco Reus and Mesut Ozil.

Like Ozil and many of the current Germany squad such as Sami Khedira and Ilkay Gundogen, the youngster’s family is of Turkish descent which is a reason for the interest from Turkish giants, Galatasaray.

However, with interest from the Premier League gathering momentum, it’s unlikely that the Germany Under 17 international will be looking to move anywhere other than England.

 Gunners on alert as Bernard pricetag set

Just a month after one Brazilian starlet departs the Brasileirao for Europe, the next looks set to be following close by with Atletico Mineiro’s, Bernard, attracting great interest from Arsenal

The 20-year-old has grabbed the headlines for his exciting performances this season and earlier this week he was instrumental in Mineiro’s Copa Libertadores triumph over Olimpia, in which they managed to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit.

It is believed that Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, sent his scouts to keep a close eye on the Brazilian playmaker, who has maintained that he would not speculate on his future until Mineiro’s Copa Libertadores campaign was over.

Now that is the case, talks look set to begin between Bernard and Europe’s top clubs with Atletico Mineiro’s director of football admitting that the president; “has made it clear that if there is a €25 million offer, he will sell Bernard.”

That will be music to the years of Wenger who intends to spend big this season in order to revive the positivity around the Emirates Stadium, once again.

 Arsenal hopeful of landing Liverpool's Suarez and prepare third approach

Arsenal could be set to make a third bid for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, according to The Guardian.

Amid rumors that tensions between the Uruguayan international and his current club Liverpool continue to rise, Arsene Wenger could be set to capitalize and attempt to convince the striker that his future lies at the Emirates.

Suarez attended a meeting to discuss his future with manager Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre, but no-one has yet divulged just how well the meeting went – and the Gunners are interpreting this as a sign that things did not go at all well, and are believed to feel encouraged that they could still wind up getting their man.

Their confidence stems from the assumed fact that had Suarez indicated a willingness to remain at Anfield then the club would likely have publicized this immediately. On Thursday the Gunners offered Liverpool a single pound over £40m for the player – a strategy that they believe would indicate their desire to land Suarez, putting pressure on a clause in the 26-year-old’s contract. They hope to have Suarez publicly chasing the move, but a written transfer request is thought too much to expect considering the financial gains which the player could miss out on.

However, Liverpool have insisted that the clause indicates that they simply must inform Suarez of any offer received over £40m, and are not legally obligated to permit the player to discuss terms with the interested parties.

Arsenal are aware that they may have to go substantially higher than the £40,000,001 offered earlier this week, and are thought to be prepared to pay up to £50m for the pacey forward.

Real Madrid are also interested, but are thought to be reluctant to pay more than £25m. However, the Spaniards are currently rolling in the cash following the £32m sale of previous Arsenal target Gonzalo Higuain to Napoli.

 Giroud welcomes ambition shown by Arsenal in Suarez pursuit

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has commended the club on their attempts to sign Liverpool forward Luis Suarez, the Daily Mirror has reported, even though the Frenchman’s place would be under threat should Arsene Wenger be successful in his pursuit of the Uruguay international.

The Gunners have made a second offer for Suarez at £1 over £40m in an attempt to trigger the player’s release clause and Giroud is pleased to see the club targeting big name players - indeed, Giroud wants more players like Suarez to join the club whatever the impact on his own playing time.

“I think we need maybe two or three more players. Yes, that's what we need. To show ambition,” the former Montpellier played said. He added: “The club has to show the fans that we want it. Me and my team mates, we need it as well. It's all about the team. It will be a really positive thing if we have a new striker.

“I am not worried but I will wait until September so we know the team, the players,” Giroud continued. “I never used to read the newspapers and I don't want to change my way of life but I have heard a lot of things and I know we need a striker.”

Giroud scored 17 goals in his first season with Arsenal following his £13m move from former Ligue 1 champions Montpellier. The Mirror claims Wenger has a transfer kitty of £70m and as well as Suarez, is keen to sign a goalkeeper, defender and midfielder, as Giroud insists the manager must do what is best for the team overall.

“The most important thing is the team,” he said. “We are waiting for one but we don't know. I think it will be good for the team and for me as well to have another striker, to have more competition between us.

“But I think I could play with him or without him. So I will be able to be in the first XI this season. I really want to be in the first XI this season but we will see.”

Suarez would regret leaving Liverpool for Arsenal, says Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers has warned Luis Suarez that he would regret leaving Liverpool for Arsenal, Sky Sports has reported.

Rodgers added that he believes Suarez should understand what he is trying to achieve at Anfield and recognise it would not be a step forward to move to the Gunners now, even though Arsenal are in the Champions League.

“I know what we are trying to build and grow, so why would you swap Liverpool to go to Arsenal?” Rodgers said, adding: “I am not sure that it adds up, to be honest.

“Arsenal have a wonderful history in their own right but Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

Arsene Wenger has made a number of offers for Suarez, the most recent coming in at £40m+£1 in an effort to trigger a clause believed to be stipulated in the Uruguayan’s contract that says Liverpool must now inform Suarez of Arsenal’s interest.

Rodgers went on to say that he understands the interest from Arsenal has put Suarez in a compromising position. “It is difficult for Luis, I understand that. If a team wants you, it can be difficult,” the former Swansea boss said. “I am sure Luis will have seen the sheer size and status of the club here, so we'll just see how it goes. But it is not something we want to run on for too long.”

When asked if he thought Suarez would be making a mistake in heading to the Emirates Stadium, Rodgers’ response was unequivocal: “One hundred per cent.

“He has been given a team built around him. I made some big calls to make it work to suit his strengths. It is no coincidence that he had a great season, apart from the end bit, and we would love to have him to continue the next phase,” Rodgers said.

Suarez will sit out the first six games of the season regardless of the club he is contracted to after receiving a 10-game ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic last season. He served four games of the suspension at the tail end of the campaign.