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Arsene Wenger has begun to draw up a Plan B as Arsenal struggle to land Liverpool's Luis Suarez.

Gunners boss Wenger still sees Suarez as his No.1 priority and they are likely to go back with an improved bid - but their chances of persuading the Kop club to sell appear to be fading.

There have now been internal discussions about going for different options and with Manchester United's Wayne Rooney now seemingly off their radar, they could revisit an interest in Swansea’s Spanish goal-machine Michu.

The north Londoners have also compiled extensive scouting reports on Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko in the past and Wenger still rates him highly and would move given any encouragement.

They passed up on interest in David Villa, Gonzalo Higuain and Stevan Jovetic to move for Suarez, but the Reds' entrenched position has seen them knock back two bids and even an improved offer of around £45m may not be enough.

Suarez is keen to go and may yet ask for a transfer to try to force a move, and there is also the chance that Real Madrid may come in if they cannot land Spurs' Gareth Bale.

Liverpool would be happier to sell him abroad than to the Gunners, a club they see as a direct rival.

(Image: Michael Regan)

Kop captain Steven Gerrard insisted on Tuesday that the club will do everything to keep Suarez - and also claimed the transfer window should shut when the season starts rather than continue for another fortnight.

Gerrard said: “It’s very important (Suarez stays). He is one of the best players in the world. I can understand why clubs are showing an interest in him.

“If I can use my influence to try to get him to stay then of course I will because I love playing with him and I don’t want him to go. For Liverpool to be successful and move forward we have to keep our best players.

“At the moment, I haven’t got a clue (if he will stay). I don’t know what will happen over the next two weeks. But I am really confident he won’t go to anywhere else in England.”

(Image: John Powell / Getty)

Elsewhere, Arsenal are confident on Bayern Munich defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo who, as we reported, is keen on a switch to the Emirates.

They are also keen to bring in another right-back as cover, and Malaga are ready to use their right-back Jesus Gamez as part of the negotiations to sign Nicklas Bendtner.

Unhappy Danish striker Bendtner has asked Arsenal to allow him a free transfer, as his £52,000-a-week wages are proving to be a major stumbling block.