Liverpool Transfer Rumours: Examining Latest on Luis Suarez and Ryan Bertrand

The summer transfer period has been relatively uneventful at Anfield to this point, but it looks like that may soon change.

While the Reds have made a few minor signings, they haven’t been in the mix for many of the top transfer targets this summer. And to make matters worse, the Luis Suarez saga continues to take new twists.

According to John Cross of the Daily Mirror, the embattled striker is closing in on a potential move to Arsenal as the Gunners prepare for an increased bid:

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Luis Suarez is ready to tell Liverpool that he wants to join Arsenal.

Liverpool are bracing themselves for Suarez to ask them to let him go when the Uruguayan striker flies from Montevideo to the club's training base in Melbourne this weekend.

Arsenal are growing increasingly hopeful they can do the deal and are likely to go back with an improved bid once they know whether Suarez reports up and the potential fall-out.

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Suarez’s unrest at Anfield has caused major waves for the past several months. Along with some on-pitch drama that led to a 10-match suspension (six of those contests yet to be served), the Uruguayan striker also voiced his displeasure with the English media and essentially admitted he wants out at Liverpool.

That unrest has settled of late, but that hasn’t dissuaded other clubs from pursuing Suarez.

Per Cross, Arsenal could be preparing to make a £40 million bid for Suarez—a bid that could potentially trigger his release clause and give him a way out should he want it.

Suarez isn’t the only premier scorer the Gunners are said to be targeting, but he seems to be the most accessible at this point. If the latest rumours are true, Suarez could be closing in on the Anfield exit he has been wanting for some time.

With Real Madrid’s £25 million bid for Suarez coming up well short, Arsenal appear to be his most likely landing spot. For Liverpool, a £40 million return from the Gunners would hardly limit the sting of losing their best player.

Ryan Bertrand

Liverpool don’t want to lose Suarez, but they also can’t focus on replacing him should the 26-year-old depart Anfield.

Instead, the Reds are continuing their efforts to shore up their unit in the defensive third.

Per Chris Bascombe of The Telegraph, veteran keeper Pepe Reina will see his way out of town on a season loan to Napoli, paving the way for new addition Simon Mignolet in goal:

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Liverpool have agreed a season loan deal with Napoli for goalkeeper Pepe Reina. Having signed Simon Mignolet from Sunderland, the Merseyside club was willing to allow Reina to go elsewhere for first team football.

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Now, Liverpool also appear ready to make a push for some help at fullback.

According to Dan Silver of the Daily Mirror, the Reds make an inquiry to Chelsea about left-back Ryan Bertrand—a player who hasn’t quite seen his share of playing time with Ashley Cole locking down first-team duties:

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In a development that will resonate with Football Manager players everywhere, Liverpool have had an enquiry about the availability of left-back Ryan Bertrand rejected by Chelsea.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is known to be a big fan of the 23 year-old England international, and had planned to sign him alongside other young stars including Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld.

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Liverpool could certainly use some defensive help, and Bertrand is a player who many consider to have a lot of untapped potential. Unfortunately, Chelsea don’t seem interested.

Still, Blues boss Jose Mourinho plans on making some changes this summer, and it may just take a big domino to fall before he is prepared to focus on additional moves like selling a talented young—albeit backup—left-back like Bertrand.