Arsenal’s hopes of signing Luis Suárez have taken a considerable blow after Liverpool informed the North London club that they have no intention of selling their star player in any circumstances to a team they consider rivals.

Liverpool rejected Arsenal’s £40,000,001 bid for the Uruguay forward this week and, contrary to reports, have refused the player permission to hold talks with his suitors over personal terms before a potential move.

Arsenal had lodged their second offer of the summer at that specific amount in the belief it would trigger a release clause in the striker’s contract. That is not Liverpool’s interpretation, and Suárez must now decide whether to push for a move by handing in a formal transfer request.

Comments from Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool