Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Smart to Get Luis Suarez Involved in Talks

With rumours of a potential coup to land Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, Arsenal ramped up their efforts with a creative bid that will force the Reds to involve Suarez in the talks.

According to Andy Hunter of The Guardian, Arsenal offered £40 million for the 26-year-old striker—with a kicker tacked on:

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Arsenal have reinforced their determination to sign Luis Suárez with a club-record bid of £40m plus £1 for the Liverpool striker. The offer was rejected out of hand by Liverpool but Suárez could push for talks over a sensational move to the Emirates Stadium, if he so desires.

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As also noted by John Cross and David Maddock of the Daily Mirror, the £40,000,001 offer forces the Reds to inform Suarez of Arsenal’s interest:

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Arsene Wenger last night tabled a stunning and cheeky £40,000,001 bid for Luis Suarez.

The extra quid triggers a clause in the Liverpool hitman’s contract meaning the Merseyside club must inform him of Arsenal’s offer.

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Cross and Maddock believe manager Arsene Wenger is prepared to pay the Uruguayan £150,000 per week on a five-year contract. With that kind of offer potentially on the table, Suarez will be very interested to know of the Gunners’ plans.

Wenger was smart to add that extra bonus to his offer, especially with the ambiguous nature of Suarez’s contract language regarding transfer clauses. With the £40,000,001, Wenger can continue planting the same seeds that have caused so much unrest for Suarez at Anfield.

Following a disappointing finish last term, Liverpool found themselves out of Champions League contention and facing some questions entering the summer transfer period. Knowing of Suarez’s discontent (which he made obvious in his comments regarding the English media), Liverpool were prepared to face a situation in which the striker would consider leaving for a Champions League squad.

Arsenal notched a Champions League berth with a Top Four finish last term and can certainly offer Suarez an opportunity to be a part of that should be choose to leave for the Emirates.

If Wenger has an opportunity to talk with Suarez personally—and it seems like that will now be the case following Arsenal’s bid—the Emirates boss can make that pitch and give Suarez another reason to accept a sizeable five-year contract to play for Arsenal.

But the benefits of Arsenal’s creative offer go beyond the obvious effect of triggering Suarez’s clause. For Wenger and the Gunners, making a serious offer shows their willingness to make something happen this summer—something fans have questioned from the time the club announced a potential purse of £70 million for Wenger to spend.

Arsenal needed to table an offer that would show they are actively attempting to make a big splash this summer, even if that means prolonged talks with Suarez and additional time to make another offer to Liverpool.