Liverpool owner John Henry has let rip at Arsenal after the Londoners offered just £1 over £40million to trigger a key clause in Luis Suarez’s contract.
The clause demands that Liverpool inform Suarez of any offer in excess of £40m and Arsenal’s bid, which has got right up Henry's nose, will only complicate the talks scheduled for Wednesday in Melbourne between the unsettled striker and his Anfield employers.
Henry tweeted this morning: 'What do you think they're smoking over there at Emirates?'
Even though Liverpool are not forced to sell the striker for that price it cranked up the pressure on them to deal with a player who has made it plain he wants to quit the club.
The move also confirmed Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s determination to land his No 1 summer target by smashing the club’s transfer record.
The new bid was instantly rejected by Liverpool, who have made it clear they do not want to sell the striker, and they will have been unhappy that Arsenal will not take ‘no’ for an answer having had an earlier offer of £35m turned down.
It is believed it would take a figure of more than £50m to contemplate a change of heart at Anfield.
What will concern Liverpool even more is that Arsenal chiefs have already agreed in principle personal terms that offer Suarez a five-year deal worth up to £150,000 a week compared with his existing £120,000 a week.
And the north London club are confident that if an agreement with Liverpool can be reached, everything is in place to ensure the deal can be concluded quickly.
Liverpool will sit down for more talks with Suarez after Wednesday’s friendly against Melbourne Victory at the MCG and reiterate that they do not want him to leave.
As it stands, Arsenal believe they have a clear run at Suarez, with Real Madrid yet to solidify their interest.
But the club are well aware that Suarez may favour a move to the Bernabeu and fear once Gonzalo Higuain — also a Gunners target — leaves, Carlo Ancelotti will step up his interest in the Uruguayan.
Arsenal made an official approach for Suarez two weeks ago, when chief executive Ivan Gazidis offered a deal that added up to around £35m. It was emphatically dismissed by Liverpool.
Given that they also made a tentative enquiry when £25m was mentioned, Liverpool told Arsenal then that not even £40m would be enough to secure a player who scored 30 goals last season. Suarez and his agent, Pere Guardiola, also knew this.
The fact that Arsenal, whose record transfer fee is the £16.5m they paid for Santi Cazorla last year, have come back with £1 over £40m has left Liverpool bemused, and strengthened their resolve to hang on to Suarez. Even though he has been a hugely controversial figure, Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool’s owners, are desperate to keep Suarez at the club.
What will concern Liverpool even more is that Arsenal chiefs have already agreed in principle personal terms that offer Suarez a five-year deal worth up to £150,000 a week compared with his existing £120,000 a week.
And the north London club are confident that if an agreement with Liverpool can be reached, everything is in place to ensure the deal can be concluded quickly.
Liverpool will sit down for more talks with Suarez after Wednesday’s friendly against Melbourne Victory at the MCG and reiterate that they do not want him to leave.
As it stands, Arsenal believe they have a clear run at Suarez, with Real Madrid yet to solidify their interest.
But the club are well aware that Suarez may favour a move to the Bernabeu and fear once Gonzalo Higuain — also a Gunners target — leaves, Carlo Ancelotti will step up his interest in the Uruguayan.
Arsenal made an official approach for Suarez two weeks ago, when chief executive Ivan Gazidis offered a deal that added up to around £35m. It was emphatically dismissed by Liverpool.
Given that they also made a tentative enquiry when £25m was mentioned, Liverpool told Arsenal then that not even £40m would be enough to secure a player who scored 30 goals last season. Suarez and his agent, Pere Guardiola, also knew this.
The fact that Arsenal, whose record transfer fee is the £16.5m they paid for Santi Cazorla last year, have come back with £1 over £40m has left Liverpool bemused, and strengthened their resolve to hang on to Suarez. Even though he has been a hugely controversial figure, Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool’s owners, are desperate to keep Suarez at the club.
Arsenal must be joking, how can they add just a dollar more to the 40,000 initial bid. they must be high on cheap weed, lol...
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