Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Will Arsenal pay £40m for Suarez?
MANAGER Arsene Wenger refused to be drawn yesterday on whether Arsenal would match Liverpool’s reported asking price for striker Luis Suarez, after a £30 million bid was said to have been rejected.
The Gunners boss declined to say if Arsenal were willing to stump up what is thought to be £40m bottom line for the controversial Uruguayan, but hinted that a deal may not be entirely dead.
“We’re hoping we will be in a position where we can answer this question,” Wenger told reporters in Jakarta, before a friendly match.
He added: “As you know, the transfer period demands a certain air of confidentiality and of secret.”
Arsenal had a multi- million pound offer rejected earlier this week and Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has stressed the “worldclass” player is not for sale.
Last month Suarez, banned for racist abuse in 2011 and currently suspended for biting, said it would be difficult to turn down an offer from Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Arsenal, who have not won a trophy since 2005, are under pressure to spend big after posting huge profits last year. It prompted criticism from fans that the club lacked ambition.
The club have also been linked with Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney and Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain. – Sapa-AFP