Arsenal give Wenger green light to make £40m bid for Liverpool hitman Suarez

Arsene Wenger has been given the green light to make a decisive £40million bid for Luis Suarez.

The Liverpool striker is Arsenal's No 1 priority this summer and the Londoners have already seen a £30million offer rejected.

Sportsmail revealed earlier this week how the Gunners had reopened talks with Merseyside chiefs over an improved £35million bid.

But the Anfield club have made it clear that even that will not be enough to persuade them to part with their prized-asset.

Big money: Arsene Wenger has been given the green light to spend £40m on Luis Suarez

An offer of £40million will test a clause in Suarez's contract that could make-or-break his intention to quit Anfield this summer.

Suarez’s agent, Pere Guardiola, argues that the sum triggers a release clause and Liverpool have conceded they would have to listen.



The bid would represent a hugely decisive move from the Gunners hierarchy as they look to land one of their three main targets.

Along with Suarez, Wenger also has a concrete interest in Gonzalo Higuain and Wayne Rooney.

Clause: Suarez's agent says that if Arsenal bid, Liverpool will be forced to listen

Back to work: Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool are back in pre-season training Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes Suarez owes it to his team-mates - and the club's fans - to stay at Anfield.

'It's not about me or the club, I think it's the supporters and his team-mates for what they gave him,' Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo.

He added: 'They have stood by him through thick and thin, and through all the traumas he has gone through over the last couple of seasons.

'If there is anyone he owes it's them and his team-mates, who have fought beside him, certainly not me.'

Interested: Suarez has said he is flattered by interest from Liverpool's Premier League rivals Arsenal

But there is a sense within the London club that they have to make significant moves in the transfer market in the next few days or risk the embarrassing prospect of missing out on all three targets.

Having made the public declaration that Arsenal are now in a financial position to compete with Europe's big players in the transfer market, missing out on the stellar signing supporters so desperately crave would be a PR nightmare for the club.

A deal worth up to £150,000-per-week for Higuain has been agreed in principle with the Argentina international's advisors - but Real Madrid continue to move the goalposts with regards to how much the striker would cost.

Even more worryingly for the Gunners, reports in Madrid claim Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is ready to throw his hat into the ring to sign Higuain - who is also a target for Napoli.

Similarly, Mourinho seems to be in pole position to land Rooney from Manchester United - leaving Wenger with the very real prospect of losing out on his three priority targets.

Having a whale of a time: Arsene Wenger pictured on the club's pre-season tour

In doubt: The move for Higuain may have fallen flat as Wenger turns his attentions elsewhere

Meanwhile, Gunners defender Bacary Sagna insists he will not quit Arsenal - and wants to prove he is worth a new deal.

Sagna, 30, is into the final 12 months of his contract and has had offers from Paris Saint Germain, Anzhi and clubs in the Middle East.

The France international has refused to sign a year-long extension, believing he is worth a longer deal and is set to leave on a free transfer next summer.

But despite the contract-wrangle Sagna insists he wants to stay at the Emirates Stadium and prove he is a worth a lengthier deal.

'I enjoy playing for Arsenal. I love my team, I give 100 per cent for the team and I always give my best. I'm still here.

Here to stay: Bacary Sagna says he wants to remain at Arsenal

'Many people were talking about me going back to France but I'm still here and I'm looking forward to a big season with Arsenal.

'Last year was difficult. I only had one year left and people were looking at that and maybe thinking I would leave.