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Liverpool are said to have braced themselves for a £70million Real Madrid raid for star striker Luis Suarez.

The La Liga giants reportedly believe the offer will activate a get-out clause in the Uruguayan's new Anfield contract.

Real president Florentino Perez is understood to be preparing a bid for the newly-crowned PFA Footballer of the Year after the season ends.

And according to The Sun, the Spaniards hope to have a deal in place before the World Cup kicks off in June.

A Madrid source told the newspaper: "Florentino Perez will just come and ‘swoosh’.

"He will prize Suarez away.

"He is their No 1 target.

"He ticks all the boxes and is easily the world's best player behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi."

Kop boss Brendan Rodgers will fight to keep his most prized asset, who signed a new 4½-year deal only last December.

However Perez, who signed Gareth Bale for £86m from Tottenham last summer, wants Suarez, 27, as his latest Galactico.

Madrid failed to land the hitman last summer.

But Real have yet to decide whether to offer Karim Benzema or highly-rated youngster Alvaro Morata as part-exchange.