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Luis Suarez is ready to tell Liverpool that he wants to join Arsenal, writes John Cross in Nagoya.

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

and are likely to go back with an improved bid once they know whether Suarez reports up and the potential fall-out.

Suarez had his heart set on Real Madrid but the Spanish giants have not come in after making it clear

There is a complex £40m clause in Suarez's contract which his advisers believe is enough to allow him to leave while the Merseyside club are adamant that they only have to inform him of an offer.

Arsenal have had an enquiry rebuffed but are likely to increase their bid towards £40m, even though it may include add-ons.

But they are now confident that Suarez is keen to join Arsenal and has ditched his promise that he would not leave Liverpool for another Premier League club. It may even be significant that he mentioned being flattered by Arsenal's interest in a recent interview.

Mirror Sport understands there would be no problem with Suarez - despite being given punishments after racially abusing Patrice Evra and biting Branislav Ivanovic - in the Arsenal dressing room and they respect him as hard working.

(Image: Getty)

Arsenal did have a deal in place for Gonzalo Higuain three weeks ago but that has stalled - after an incredible row about the price.

Mirror Sport can reveal that Arsenal agreed personal terms, Higuain was keen to come and Real Madrid were demanding £25m.

But suddenly "the goalposts have been moved" with Real Madrid suddenly pushing the price up from €30m to €40m. There is also a suspicion that Napoli's interest has also been designed to draw Arsenal back in.

The Higuain deal is not dead but Arsenal will not go back in unless Real Madrid go back to their original price.

With Chelsea believing they will get Wayne Rooney, it seems Arsenal believe their most realistic target is Suarez and that would also be their most spectacular and controversial one.