The controversial Luis Suarez is being heavily courted by the Gunners, who were rebuffed by the Reds in their attempts to sign Suarez for £30 million. However, they were encouraged to bid close to Liverpool’s £40 million valuation of their star asset by Suarez’s agent, with the player still to serve six of his ten match ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic.

With Suarez intent on leaving Liverpool, a bid of around £40 million will reportedly convince the Reds to part ways with their top scorer from last season. The prolific forward notched 30 goals for the Merseyside club and single-handedly ensured that they finished no lower than seventh in the league table.

With Suarez showing Champions League football form rather than mid-table form, it is no surprise that the striker is being lined up by the likes of Real Madrid and Arsenal. Even though the 26-year-old had earlier spoken of his desire to quit English football altogether, he is now open to the idea of staying in England as Arsenal step up their pursuit of the former Ajax man.

According to Metro, Arsenal are ‘very close’ in securing a move for the Liverpool forward. Arsene Wenger is reportedly most keen on having a new striker at his disposal for next season, and after seeing a transfer for Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain fizzle out, the Frenchman is ready to double the clubs record transfer fee to land Suarez.

The report suggests Martin Charquero, the South American journalist who has recently interviewed Suarez, believes that the Reds striker is on the brink of quitting Anfield in order to secure a move to the Emirates Stadium. He tweeted, “Luis Suarez is very close to Arsenal.”

The Gunners are prepared to spend close to £40 million to land a ‘marquee’ signing which the Gunners fans have been craving. The club have, so far, only captured 20-year-old Yaya Sanogo on a free but the arrival of Suarez could really prove to everyone that Arsene Wenger, and Arsenal, mean business for the forthcoming season.